We celebrate the life of Rev. Mzee Fanuel Mukungu Wakhu (Baba Rose), a beloved patriarch, teacher and man of God. Your legacy continues in the many lives you touched with your kindness and generosity and lives on in those you loved.
Rest in peace until we meet again.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Burial Date: Saturday, 2 August 2024
Service: Khwisero, Western Kenya
Watch the burial
here.
EULOGY OF REV. FANUEL MUKUNGU WAKHUChildhood and Early LifeFanuel Wakhu, fondly referred to as "Professor" and "Baba Rose," was born on August 22, 1933, in the village of Emwilu to the late Aristarico Mukungu and the late Agnetta Atakaya “Owelirembe.” He was the eldest of six siblings: Meldina, the late Josiah, the late Francis, Donald, and William. He shared a special bond with his siblings, particularly his sister Meldina, who would escort him to school, carrying his suitcase. He diligently performed daily chores and brought joy to his parents. He cherished spending holidays in Emang'eli, Bunyore where he bonded with his maternal uncles. His mother, a devout Christian from Bunyore, instilled strong Christian values in him from a young age. He was cherished by many.
Education and CareerFanuel’s parents moved to Elukari when he reached school-going age, where he attended Mwihila Primary School from 1942 to 1946. He excelled and was admitted to Musingu Secondary School, later moving to Kakamega High School, becoming the only student from his village at that time to achieve this. He studied there from 1948 to 1950. After completing secondary education, he enrolled at Siriba Teachers Training College (TTC) in 1955, as a teacher. During his college years, he worked as a casual laborer at Mwihila during school holidays to pay his fees, as his parents couldn't afford them.
He began his teaching career at Mwihila, where the local chief recognized his potential and selected him to work in the Ministry of Lands in Kakamega, conducting land demarcation in Elukari and issuing title deeds. He also pursued a development course which qualified him to join either the University of Nairobi or Makerere University.
In 1964, he chose to join the University of Nairobi, pursuing both a diploma and a degree in science. His outstanding performance led to multiple scholarship offers abroad. Despite these opportunities, he chose to stay in Kenya, prioritizing his family's needs over international prospects. The first opportunity was a scholarship to Germany, which had the condition that he first learn the German language. He turned down this offer because he felt that it was not important to learn a new language at the time. On another occasion, he was offered a scholarship to the United States of America, with a condition that he be accompanied by his wife and only two children yet he had eight children. He again turned down this offer because he wanted to be present for his family. This is because his wife had previously stayed alone with the children for a long time. He wanted to take up his responsibility in bringing up his children in the same environment. Instead, he chose to become a lecturer at the Kenya Science Teachers College (KSTC), becoming one of the first Kenyans to be posted there.
He rose through the ranks from lecturer to head of the biology department, acting as principal on several occasions. He retired in 1987 as the Head of the Biology Department at KSTC. Shortly after, Mr Geoffrey William Griffin (RIP), the founding Director of Starehe Boys' Centre and School in Kenya, sought him out to teach biology.
Personal LifeFanuel met the love of his life, Christine, daughter of Rev. Habil and Josephine Olembo from Wanakhale, in 1958 at a youth convention at Church of God. They married in 1960 at the Mwihila Church of God, officiated by Rev. Musa Eshipiri. They were blessed with the following children: Perpetua, Rose, Patrick, Jerry, Katherine, the late Jimmy, Gladys, Josephine, and Patricia. In 1969, he moved his family to Nairobi, where they continued to grow and thrive together.
He would occasionally gather his large family into his beloved wagon, a Volvo named ‘Old Faithful’ with the registration KKZ 266, and take them to watch classic movies like ‘Gone with the Wind’ and ‘The Ten Commandments’ at the drive-in cinema. On other occasions, he would take them bowling at Adams Arcade.
Life in a large family was never dull; there were always school trips, prize-giving days, weddings, and various other events. He was present for them all. His third son, the late James Curtis (JC), had a talent for creating nicknames. Everyone in the family, including the extended family, had an alias, and for his dad, he chose the name ‘Moon.’ This fond pet name became a cherished way to refer to their father.
Community InvolvementFanuel’s passion for community service led him to join Kenya YMCA in the 1980s, where he was elected to serve on the Nairobi Central YMCA branch management committee. His leadership prowess saw him elected to the National Executive Committee in the 1990s, where he contributed immensely to the growth of Kenya YMCA. His father's influence in organizing community events and ‘Okhulukha’ granaries inspired his commitment to community service.
Faith and Church LifeHaving been brought up as a staunch Christian, he did not lose sight of the teachings even when he moved to the city. He continued to instill Christian values in his children. On relocating to Nairobi, he joined the Nairobi Baptist Church where he was an active member. He attended church with his family every Sunday. I guess he did this for his children to ensure that they got a strong Christian foundation. His wife and children got involved in church activities like singing in the church choir and teaching Sunday School.
Once his children were of age, he and his wife moved back to their parent church, the Church of God in Kaloleni to play a more active role in service. Here he continued to hone his Christian attributes as a member of the Compassion and Mzee Kanisa. Whenever he went to church, his first stop was at the Sunday school section. His love for children was evident in the way he related to the kids. He never lacked a sweet or a packet of biscuits for them. They loved him and flocked around him. He was also very instrumental in conflict resolution and many were the times he was called in to give direction. It was because of his humility and passion for God's work that he was selected to undergo training which cumulated in him being ordained as a Lay Leader in August 2017 at the Church of God headquarters Mission in Kima. His service was defined by his love for God, and he served Him in any capacity as long as it brought glory to God’s name.
Mzee was the first chairman of the Kaloleni Church of God, Child and Youth Development Centre that is sponsored by Compassion International February 2011 to 2015. He played a crucial role in bringing the project to the church and signed the first partnership agreement between Compassion International and the church. He was consulted for direction by workers, pastors and the leadership in Nairobi cluster from all the churches assisted by Compassion. He used his personal finances to install the first-ever Wi-Fi at the Kaloleni Church of God when the church hosted the Day of the African Child celebrations in Nairobi. He kept time and never missed any project meetings. After handing over the project, he continued to show interest and would call to get progress updates on the project and the welfare of the workers.
He was a unifying force in the church. He demonstrated this when he unified Judea and Samaria Ushirika groups at the Church of God. He served as Baba Kanisa at Kaloleni Church of God even as his health was failing him. He believed that one day when God called him home and asked him what he did with his talents, he would have to account and therefore made every effort to give a good report.
SicknessMzee lived a healthy life until late 2019 when he began experiencing health challenges due to a fall. Initially, doctors recommended physiotherapy to address the injuries. However, the discomfort persisted. Further tests in February 2021 revealed cancer. He underwent outpatient treatment at Nairobi Hospital until November 2023. While visiting his village home he fell critically ill. Hospitalized at Western Heart & Cancer Hospital Kisumu for two months, he did not recognize his family and could not speak. This was deeply traumatic for them. Miraculously, he regained his ability to speak and began recovering, returning home in January 2024 under the care of a trained caregiver. Sadly, he was readmitted in July and passed away on July 23, 2024, due to opportunistic infections.
Legacy Quotes• A gentleman per excellence.
• He had an extraordinary calmness around him, never in a hurry and very polite, nothing ever irritated or agitated him.
• He loved his wife to a fault. He allowed her to travel the world and would forgo his own comfort to ensure that she was happy.
• A keen Biologist, a lover of knowledge, meticulous, supportive and most friendly teacher!
• Mzee was a man of his word. He was a loyal friend and a trustworthy companion.
• Mr Wakhu lived a life of many blessings: longevity, sagacity, productivity and took everything with hearty laughter.
• He was not one to focus on material gain and was contented to live a quiet life in South C.
• He was moved by the plight of the disadvantaged and used the pocket money he received to meet their needs.