Tweeting chief laid to rest in an emotional send-off

Globally recognized tech-savvy chief Francis Kariuki, popularly known as the 'Tweeting Chief' was on Wednesday laid to rest at his Githioro home, in Bahati, Nakuru County, in an emotional send-off that preceded a colourful funeral ceremony attended by thousands of people.

The funeral ceremony took place at Lanet Umoja Primary School grounds, where security officers were strtegically positioned to ensure social distance and adherence of Ministry of Health Covid-19 guidelines.

Dozens of people, among them government officials, local politicians, church leaders and residents thronged the venue to pay their last respects to the late Chief Kariuki.

Hundreds of family members, friends and relatives also attended the ceremony.

A sombre mood engulfed the funeral service of a man described as one of Kenya's tech-savvy administrators, who served with a lot of dedication and commitment.

At the time of his death, Chief Kariuki was the chairman of the National Chiefs Caucus.

On Wednesday, his colleagues, who included County Commissioners, Deputy County Commissioners, chiefs and their assistants, eulogised him withglowing tributes for his unique leadership skills.

Nakuru County Commissioner, Erastus Mbui, described Kariuki as a dedicated, innovative and dynamic civil servant.

Great influence

"We have lost a dedicated, hardworking administrator, who selflessly served the people of Lanet Umoja. His influence was felt beyond his jurisdiction. The Chief Kariuki's death has left a huge gap that will take time to be filled,” said Mr Mbui.

Several of his colleagues described him as a friendly, humble, focussed and dedicated chief.

"Death has robbed Lanet residents of a dedicated civil servant, who was a darling of the people he served. Through his efforts, citizens were able to access information in a timely and effective manner through Twitter,” said a chief, who worked closely with the late Kariuki.

"Chief Kariuki was a humble and dedicated administrator. We will greatly miss his service, but we pray that his soul rests in eternal peace," said Ms Jane Karanja, a resident of Lanet.

The funeral ceremony was also attended by Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui, Woman Representative Liza Chelule and Bahati Member of Parliament Kimani Ngunjiri.

The leaders condoled with the family and praised the administrator whose service they said will be greatly missed.

"Nakuru and the country at large has lost a digital chief, who greatly helped to improve security in his area of jurisdiction. He was one of the most dedicated administrators, out of whose efforts, citizens were able to access information a timely and effective manner through Twitter. He will be greatly missed,” Governor Kinyanjui said.

His wife Peris Kariuki described her husband as an ambitious, humble and hardworking person.

"Death has robbed me of a great friend. He was always ambitious and hardworking. I will miss you my husband. You had big dreams. But all is well with my soul; let your soul rest in the hands of our God,” she said in her eulogy.

The burial service was disrupted by heavy rainfall that pounded the area at around 2pm.

Chief Kariuki, 55, died last week, at the Nakuru Level Five, after a short illness.

Twitter followers

He died while receiving treatment at the Nakuru Level Five Hospital, where he had been rushed to for emergency treatment after he experienced breathing difficulties.

His family said Chief Kariuki had been ailing from diabetes for a long time.

The tech-savvy chief of Lanet Umoja is known for using Twitter and other social media platforms to facilitate his functions.

Chief Kariuki joined Twitter in June 2011, a year after being transferred from the Ministry of Education where he worked as a teacher.

His interest in technology later saw him get international recognition, In 2014 he was awarded by Initiatives of Change, NGO, a Giraffe Heroes Kenya Award. 

At the time of his death, he had about 70,000 followers on Twitter.

Subscribers got his tweets in real time via free text messages, and didn't need to have a Twitter account or an internet connection to receive them.