- Add new comment
- 1341 views
The ex-moderator of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) Rev John Gatu, who is remembered for spilling the beans on Mau Mau oaths during the Jomo Kenyatta era has died at the age of 92.
Close family sources told the Nation that the veteran cleric passed on at The Karen Hospital on Thursday. Gatu had been admitted at the Nairobi hospital after he suffered a heart attack on May 2 at his home.
The veteran cleric will be remembered for his sincerity in speaking against the excesses of previous regimes especially that of former President Daniel Moi.
Last year, in an explosive autobiography known as Fan into Fame, Gatu revealed damning details of the Mau Mau oath ceremonies in the Mount Kenya implicating Kenya's founding President Kenyatta.
His niece, Chebet Karago, eulogized him as an honest and loving man who always put his faith ahead of his actions. “Uncle was the loving father of many including people from other churches who called him Dad. When my cousin fled the country my aunt and uncle took care of his family and when his driver died, he fostered his children,” she said.
“He lived a simple life in his two bedroom house in Karen. A person who knew his true home was elsewhere with his God.”
Gatu was the founder of the Jitegemee spirit in the PCEA church, and he introduced the Moratorium Debate that called for suspension of foreign aid to African churches to promote growth and self-reliance and which led him to be branded a West“missionary hater”.
Comments
Shalom like a river at this period dear brethren. Thank you God for having made my eyes to see and hear your Son's words.
Be encouraged. Be strong. Late Rev. John Gatu gone to sleep as in 1Thessalonians 5. Let us all say, Thank you to God for the many years, months, hours, minutes and seconds He(GOD) allowed us all to be with His Son here in His garden earth. Shalom.
Pole sana if you can refer muuaji Raila as a ndugu(brother).Or maybe you don't know the word's meaning.I would not have been surprised if wauji Kabogo or Joho referred him as such with muuaji expired Kamau(Kenyatta) Muigai being their father.NEVER WISH YOUR BROTHER TO BE A MURDERER.On burial,lanatic Raila will/must attend to cannibalize expired Gatu's dead brains as he did to expired Gachagua's.
Rev Gatu was a rock and we members of Presbyterian Church of East Africa are grateful for his contribution in spreading the gospel and expansion of the church in the country. I don't think the headline suits this man of God. I greatly respect him for translating most of the hymns to Gikuyu which is not an easy task. Rest in peace Moderator.
Ndugu Gatu:
Thank you very much for leading a simple life as an example of your humility to humanity and what Kenya should be.
I couldn't believe that you lived in a two bedroom house when you could have built a mansion like the rest of the Kenya's rich men and women. Congratulations Ndugu.
Had it not been for the sacrifices that you and other heroes of the second liberation of Kenya did, Ndugu Kipkorios Toroitich Arap Moi would still be the president of Kenya!
Comrade Mugabe who is now 93 years old what to run again next year (2018) as a leader of Zimbabwe! Thanks a lot for the sacrifices that you and others did in order to bring some fresh air in our political system.
Ndugu Mwai, Raila, and Uhuru should attend your funeral and say kind words of appreciation because had it not been for you and a few others, their names would not have crossed the minds of the current people of Kenya.
Ndugu Gatu, Rest In Peace.