Uhuru's lawyer Evans Monari wrote his own tribute to be read at funeral service

14 October 2021

The late lawyer Evans Monari wrote his own tribute and eulogy. It will be read out today by Solicitor General Kenedy Ogeto at the funeral service hosted at Nairobi Central SDA Church.

Monari battled a long illness and on Monday, October 4, 2021, he passed on after being hospitalized at the Nairobi Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where he was battling multiple complications of internal organs.

He will be laid to rest on Sunday, October 17, 2021, at his Gisembe home, Kisii county.

It seems like before his demise, he took time to pen his own tribute in his own words that detailed his life, as well as his last advice and memories with his friends and family.

Infusing humour into his letter to his friends, Monari wrote, "It pains me to admit it, but apparently, I have passed away. Everyone told me it would happen one day but that’s simply not something I wanted to hear much less experience. For once I didn’t get things my way this time around!"

He continued, "The memories I’m taking with me now are so precious and have more value than all the gold and silver in my jewellery box.

Memories … where do I begin? Let’s for a moment shift our thoughts from the fact that I am gone from earth to another world to one of the many funny, joking, laughing, musical, happy comical times we shared together…and there were many for all of us.

For a brief moment relieve it and smile.

I got married to my friend and sweetheart Jacqueline Okindo in a garden wedding at the Great Court, University of Nairobi in 1994. We were blessed with lovely children namely: Cynthia Angel Monari-Childerhouse, Michelle Moraa Monari, Joshua Andrew Monari and Jeremy Monari.

The law class of ’87 where I was the class prefect, a very successful lot, we even produced the First Lady Chief Justice in Kenya, well done Chief Justice Martha Koome! I will be writing the names of noise makers from this world. Keep our vision alive and remember ‘when I want your opinion I will give it to you’."

Detailing his last assignments, Monari wrote, "My last assignment was as the Senior Disputes and Arbitration Partner at Bowmans Nairobi, Kenya: Coulson Harney LLP, Chairman & Non-Executive Director of Eaagads Ltd. and Chairman & Director of Sax & Violins Lounge, Karen.

I’ve been a devoted son, an energetic teenager, a loving husband, a comforting father, a dedicated lawyer, a true and loyal friend and if you don’t believe it, just ask me. Oh wait, I’m afraid it’s too late for questions. Sorry!

So … I was born; I blinked; it was over.No buildings named after me; no monuments erected in my honour.

However, I did have the chance to know and love each and every friend as well as all my family members. How much more blessed can a person be?

So in the end, remember… do your best, follow your arrow, and make something amazing out of your life. Oh, and never stop smiling. If you want to, you can look for me in the evening sunset or with the earliest spring daffodils or amongst the flitting and fluttering butterflies.

You know I’ll be there in one form or another. Of course, that will probably comfort some while antagonizing others, but you know me… it’s what I do. I’ll leave you with this…please don’t cry because I’m gone; instead, be happy that I was here. (Or maybe you can cry a little bit. After all, I have passed away).

Today I am happy and I am dancing. Probably playing the saxophone too. Sir Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give”. If that is true, then I made a great life.