𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐳𝐨 𝐉𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐡 𝐌𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐯𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭.

𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 -A sombre mood engulfed Kithasyu Primary School grounds in Makueni on Friday as family, friends, judicial officials and political leaders gathered to bid farewell to former High Court judge Joseph Mbalu Mutava, with Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr leading tributes to the late jurist and highlighting his legacy of integrity and public service.

Those present included Wiper leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, Governor Kilonzo, senior Judiciary officials, Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, MPs and other distinguished leaders.

Justice Mutava, husband of Kibwezi East MP Jessica Mbalu, was remembered as a distinguished legal mind whose life was defined by integrity, public service and commitment to justice.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr described the late judge as a brilliant and honourable member of the Makueni community and conveyed condolences to the family on behalf of the county government and his family.

Beyond tributes to Justice Mutava, speakers used the funeral to raise concerns about the protection of constitutionalism and the rule of law.

The Wiper Patriotic Front leader condemned what he described as roadside declarations on public resources and decisions, including the takeover of Magadi Soda and closure of Tata Industries in Kajiado, saying such matters should be handled through constitutional and lawful processes.

Kalonzo also called for press freedom and condemned alleged intimidation of journalists, urging the Government to respect the media’s constitutional role.