Like a queen: Pomp and colour washes away tears as Mama Rhoda Namaemba Lusaka is laid to rest – PHOTOS

The family matriarch and beloved mother of the family of Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, Lay Canon Rhoda Namaemba Lusaka, has been laid to rest at her home in Mapera, Kamukuywa, Kimilili Constituency.

The funeral service, held at Mapera Primary Grounds, attracted dignitaries from across the country and beyond.

The ceremony was presided over by the Most Rev. Dr. Jackson Nasoore Ole Sapit, Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya, where Mama Rhoda faithfully served as a Lay canon.

The somber and emotional ceremony was however filled with pom and colour as the family gave their mother a queen-like befitting send off.

Speaker after speaker eulogised Mama Namaemba as a pillar of strength, a ray of hope, a pot of wisdom and a humble but firm role model.

Her children, including the Governor, reminisced how she was a strict disciplinarian but with lots of love, moulding them into the successful and resourceful people they are today.

The tributes revealed some cheeky youthful moments especially of the Governor, whom his siblings said would play games and dodge some chores whenever they were charged with domestic work.

Himself, he revealed a singular incident where together with a friend, stole maize at a farm while they were students but got reprimanded by his mother and shown the true way of life.

Lusaka also revealed another incident where their beloved mother descended on him mercilessly with whips after he had ‘broken’ a law.

The Governor send mourners and the clergy into laughter when he narrated how the late Mama Rhodah would die again were she to resurrect and find Arch ole Sapit presiding over her ceremony, explaining that she would be overjoyed as that was her wish.

From the tributes, it was evident Lay Canon Mama Rhoda Namaemba Lusaka was truly a queen.

All her children including her in-laws had sweet memories and it was good music, poetically arranged to the ears of the mourners who at some point, found themselves forgetting they were mourning and broke into laughter of joy whenever Lusaka and his siblings eulogised their departed mother.

May Mama’s soul rest in eternal peace till the day the son of man will be coming back to take His chosen people to His Father in heaven.