I N L OV I N G M E M O RY O F

A N T H O N Y G Ĩ KO N YO MŨRIGŨ 5TH DECEMBER 1959 • 8TH JANUARY 2023

PROGRAMME FOR THE LATE ANTHONY GĨKONYO MŨRIGŨ 7:00am

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Assemble at home

7:30am

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Departure from home

8:00am

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Arrival at Mathari Funeral Home

9:00am

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Prayers and Viewing of the Body

9:30am

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Departure from Funeral home

10:00am

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Arrival at Gichira

10:30am

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Photo Session

Welcome Note by the Master of Ceremony (MC) Administration Eulogy Tributes • Wife • Children • Her Sister, Eva • Niece, Wangui • Grandson, Tosh • Workmates Presentations & Hymns • IHIGA RIA TENE MAA Scripture Reading • Sermon – Rev. Lucy • Hymn Prayer for the Family Procession to the burial site Vote of Thanks Benediction Guests leave at leave at their own Leisure

EULOGY FOR THE LATE ANTHONY GĨKONYO MŨRIGŨ EARLY LIFE The Late Anthony Gikonyo was born in 1959 at Gaikuyu sublocation Magutu Location, Mathira Subcounty. He was the third born son of the Late Mr. James Murigu & Mrs. Sophia Wacera. He was the loving brother of the Late Elizabeth Wabera, John Ndoria & Eva Muthoni Kaigi (Dallas, TX).

EDUCATION The Late Anthony Gikonyo started school at Kagumo Primary School, now Kiambuiri Primary and later Joined Kagumo High School for his Ordinally Levels.

CHRISTIAN LIFE The Late Anthony was was brought up in a Christian family and was a member of the PCEA church. He grew up as per the church doctrines.

MARRIAGE & FAMILY LIFE Anthony Gikonyo met the Love of his life, Elizabeth Waithera and got married. They were later blessed with 2 daughters, Sophia Wacera & Bridget Makena. He was also Grandfather to Yara Audine Waithera.

WORK LIFE Anthony Gikonyo worked with the Civil Service in the Ministry of Health and later to the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of the National Government. He was then transferred to Nyeri, Tetu Subcounty Headquaters (DCC Office) Wamagana in 2016 which he worked well until his demise.

LATER YEARS AND DEMISE The Late Anthony Gikonyo enjoyed good health during the better part of his life until his later years when he started feeling unwell and Later admitted to Consolata Mathari Hospital. He also underwent clinics at Karen Hospital. On 8th January, 2023, Anthony was promoted to Glory at Mathari Consolata Hospital when undergoing treatment. He passed away at the age of 64 years. Romans 14:8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. May the Almighty God rest his Soul in Eternal Peace. Amen

ROCK OF AGES

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee; Let the water and the blood, From Thy riven side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure, Save me from its guilt and power.

Hymns IHIGA RIA TENE MA

Ihiga Rĩa Tene Ma Nĩndĩhithe harĩ we; Tũma maĩ na thakame, Kuuma mbaru-inĩ ciaku; Inine wĩhia wothe, Ningĩ na hinya waguo.

Not the labor of my hands Can fulfill Thy law’s demands; Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears forever flow, All could never sin erase, Thou must save, and save by grace.

Mawĩra makwa mothe, Matingĩhingia watho; Kĩyo gĩakwa kĩnene, Kĩeha o na maithori, Itingĩnina wĩhia; Nowe wiki wahota.

Nothing in my hands I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress, Helpless, look to Thee for grace: Foul, I to the fountain fly, Wash me, Savior, or I die.

Ndirĩ na ihaki niĩ, Ngwĩhoka mũthara; Ndĩ njaga, humba nguo; Ndĩ mũhũthũ, ndeithagia; Ndĩ o mwĩhia, no ngũthiĩ, Gĩthima gĩaku there.

While I draw this fleeting breath, When mine eyes shall close in death, When I soar to worlds unknown, See Thee on Thy judgment throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee.

Hingo ĩno ya muoyo, O na ĩrĩa ya gũkua, Ndariũka na ndakuona, Mũtuanĩri cira, Ihiga rĩa tene ma, Nĩngehitha harĩ we.

NII NINGWENDA NGAI UMENYAGE Niĩ nĩngwenda Ngai ũmenyage Nĩngenaga mũno nĩwe; Tondũ nĩũnjĩkaga wega Na ũkanyenda hingo ciothe.

Muoyo naguo nĩwe waheire Nĩwe ũgiragia ngue; Ũngethengia hinya waku Ndingĩtinda gathaa kamwe.

Irio ciakwa iria ndĩaga Maĩ marĩa ngundaga; O na nguo cia kwĩhumba Ciothe nowe ũheaga.

We mũthenya o na ũtukũ Nĩ ũmenyagĩrĩra wega; Maitho maku no mambaraga Kũrĩ ũtheri na kũrĩ nduna.

Tributes

Tribute from Daughter My Dad, It is hard to say goodbye, I was always proud to call you dad, the best friend a daughter could have. Although I loved you dearly dad, I could not make you stay. God broke my heart to prove He only takes the best. The times we laughed and the times we cried, memories are now in my heart. Hard days may be before us, it's all part of God's plan. Our lives have changed forever. If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died. Although our live's journeys have bid us to be apart, I am with you and you are with me,always in our hearts. I will dearly miss you dad, I love you. May your soul rest in eternal peace.

Tribute from Niece Wangu My fond memories of Uncle go back in my childhood and teenage hood. You were my ATM before they were invented aka I was your Laundrette. We glided through life together through thick and thin. I remember the time you were involved in a nasty road accident but God pulled you through against all odds. The Family literally camped at Aga Khan Hospital for months, willing you to live and God truly spared your life. I will miss your sense of humour for sure from the names you gave me (Ojwang) to your irritable self when I ocassionally referred to you as Gikonyo instead of Uncle Gikonyo. I have been present in your life when you have made good and bad choices but I guess it goes to show we are all human and susceptible to mistakes. Go well, rest well my dear Uncle. Say hello to Cucu and my Mom. Tell them we are well and God has been our cornerstone. Our family chain is once again broken and nothing seems the same, But as God calls us one by one, The chain will link again. All my love in life and in death, Kui aka "Ojwang"

Tributes

Tribute from Sister Eva Anthony Gikonyo Murigu AKA MTENJA Our family is made up of 4 siblings. 2 brothers & two sisters. Gikonyo is the 3rd born & I follow him. Gikonyo & I were named after my late mother's dad & mom. Like you all know in the Kikuyu culture, he was my husband. He was overly protective & at some point, I was worried he might chase my future husband away. When I was in standard one, we went to Gatitu with our school to wait for President Kenyatta. After the ceremony, the teachers requested the older siblings to walk home with their brothers & sisters. Gikonyo decided to go do his things & asked me to wait for him. I sat exactly where he wanted me to, it started getting dark & all I could do was cry while I waited. We got home after dark & mom was waiting very angry with a belt. That was the 1st & last time I was disciplined. Gikonyo was the life of the party. He was fun to be around. His jokes never ended. At work, he worked hard when in the office. One of my good friends from Dallas TX told me on Sunday that his smileke up a room. She also said that all her government vouchers in Embu were never delayed. Gikonyo always assisted them. He loved helping his workmates. In 1994, he was involved in a motorcycle accident. This changed his lifestyle negatively. He developed what I call a "lifestyle disease " until his death. Anytime we talked over the phone, we would talk for hours just remembering the good old times. Gikonyo was there for me as a kid & I wanted to be there for him to the end. We have cried to the Lord for his healing & I truly believe God heard. God chose to heal him by taking him home. Gikonyo Witu, I will surely miss you & will always cherish the good times God gave us. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken you. I chose to say Blessed be the name of the Lord. If it is God's will, I will see you again. Good night, my brother. Huruka thayu. Ngai enda nitukonana ringi.