The visionary founder of Nairobi Institute of Business Studies (NIBS) Technical College, Madam Lizzie Muthoni Wanyoike will be laid to rest today, Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at her late ex-husband’s residence in Gatanga, Murang’a.
The prolific entrepreneur, who made substantial investments in the education sector, real estate, and land, succumbed to Cancer on Sunday, January 14.
Madam Lizzie, previously married to the late former Gatanga Member of Parliament, Mr Mburu Wanyoike, will find her final resting place at his home.
The burial service, as outlined in the funeral program, will be presided over by Bishop Rt Rev Julius Njuguna Wanyoike of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), Thika Diocese, assisted by Bishop Joel Waweru (Nairobi Diocese).
Also read: RIP! Lizzie Wanyoike to be laid to rest at ex-husband’s residence
The service begins at 8 am with prayers led by Canon Kabiru, followed by the cortege’s departure from Lee Funeral Home, Nairobi, an hour later.
Mrs Wanyoike who died aged 73, founded NIBS in 1999, and there shall be a stopover at the institution’s main campus in Kimbo, Ruiru, along Thika Road for a final farewell.
“10:00am: Arrival at Gatanga CCM Primary School Grounds,” reads the funeral program.
As per Mt Kenya region culture observed in most funerals, the deceased is usually viewed at the mortuary where they are preserved.
In addition to church protocols, speeches are expected from family members, friends, beneficiaries of her educational programs, stakeholders, provincial administration, and politicians from within the Central Region and beyond.
The tributes will acknowledge the late Madam Lizzie’s immense contributions to the growth of the education sector in the country.
NIBS stands as one of the best hospitality colleges in Kenya, boasting over 7,000 students and graduating hundreds of thousands with various professional courses.
The institution has branches in Thika Town, Nairobi Central Business District (CBD), Ruiru–Kimbo (headquarters), and Ongata Rongai.
Also read: Lizzie Wanyoike’s last message inspiring before the curtains fell
Mr Allan Njenga, NIBS Administrator, and Business Development Manager—a close employee of Madam Lizzie, will take the mourners through her eulogy.
According to the Agikuyu culture, she will then be laid to rest beside her late ex-husband’s grave in Gatanga, Murang’a County.
Mr Mburu Wanyoike, the former Gatanga MP (1992 – 1997) who passed away in 2018, fathered three children with Lizzie, namely; Wanyoike Mburu, Stella Wanjiru, and Eric Kariuki.
Married in 1972, the couple separated after 25 years of living together.
However, Madam Lizzie consistently maintained that their marriage dissolved due to divergent investment perspectives rather than emotional differences.
Besides her legacy with NIBS, she also founded Lizzie Preparatory Schools and Emory Hotel.
The businesswoman who is also a trailblazer has left an indelible mark on Kenya’s education landscape.
By Sammy Waweru
