Nicholas Mugo with his wife Beth during their 61st anniversary at St Andrew Church, Nairobi.
By: N. George
Worth Noting:
- The late Murathe Mugo was born on March 5, 1936 in Gatundu. He attended Kagumo Boy’s High School in Nyeri. He has worked at Shell East Africa, Nairobi as an officer. Later on he was lucky to be one of the beneficiaries of Tom Mboya airlift where he went to the USA to study History and Political Science at Warren Wilson College.
- Not only was he the first African student to attend that college, but also he performed exemplary and this saw him get recognized as a distinguished alumnus in absentia as he was an ambassador in the UN.
- “When they heard that I was in the UN, the president of the college came all the way from North Carolina to request me to receive the award in person. They told me that they would pay my air ticket and cater for all the expenses. It was a big thing; my story was published in foreign newspapers as I was the first African student to get the honour,” Nicholas Mugo said.
On Thursday morning 03 February 2022 at Nairobi hospital former ambassador Nicholas Muratha Mugo husband to nominated senator and former Dagoretti MP Beth Mugo passed on after a long illness.
In a press release Hon. Senator Beth Mugo she announced his demise.
“With profound sadness and sorrow, I wish to announce the death of my husband, Amb. Nicholas Mugo, that happened early this morning at the Nairobi hospital after a long illness.”
Amb. Mugo belonged to the first generation of Kenyans who were airlifted for further studies to the United States of America through the efforts of the late Hon. Tom Mboya and the late Dr. Julius Kiano in collaboration with the late president John F. Kennedy in the late 1950s.
He loved to serve the country and the region in fact he was among the first Kenya Africans who came back to the country after independence. While still in the USA he joined the East African Community.
“On attainment of Kenya’s independence, Amb. Mugo was recruited to join the East African Community while still in the United States. He was among the first Kenya Africans who came back to the country to take up the responsibilities of serving the nation. As a career diplomat he served as Kenya’s Ambassador in various countries among them France, Ethiopia, the Vatican and Yugoslavia.” Beth Mugo stated in a press release.
His diplomatic service can be broken down as follows:
1966 to 1970 he served in the African affairs department.
1969 to 1973 he served as acting high commissioner for London representing Kenya at the UN General Assembly.
In 1973 Mugo was appointed Kenyan ambassador to Ethiopia.
He retired from public service in 1978 and concentrated on family business, but he also supports his wife in public service.
Mugo was a dedicated Christian who also served as a church elder.
“For a long time he served as a church elder at P.C.E.A St. Andrew’s church.” The letter read.
His remains will be cremated today at a venue yet to be disclosed, and the memorial service will be announced at a later date.
“There will be a private interment tomorrow, Friday 4th February 2022.”
“The date of his memorial service will be announced later.” The letter from Senator Beth Mugo read.
At the time of his demise he was blessed with four children and five grandchildren.
The late Murathe Mugo was born on March 5, 1936 in Gatundu. He attended Kagumo Boys High School in Nyeri. He has worked at Shell East Africa, Nairobi as an officer. Later on he was lucky to be one of the beneficiaries of Tom Mboya airlift where he went to the USA to study History and Political Science at Warren Wilson College.
Not only was he the first African student to attend that college, but also he performed exemplary and this saw him get recognized as a distinguished alumnus in absentia as he was an ambassador in the UN.
“When they heard that I was in the UN, the president of the college came all the way from North Carolina to request me to receive the award in person. They told me that they would pay my air ticket and cater for all the expenses. It was a big thing; my story was published in foreign newspapers as I was the first African student to get the honour,” Nicholas Mugo said.
Upon his return from the USA he worked in East African Common Services Organisation. In 1964, he joined the ministry of foreign affairs where he started as a protocol officer.
“I started as a protocol officer before being transferred to be the officer in charge of the European Commonwealth Affairs. I was then moved to African affairs docket,” Ambassador Mugo said.
In September 2019 the senator and her late husband celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary with a huge ceremony held at the Villa Lalibla in her compound in Kitusuru. The chief guest was President Uhuru Kenyatta and the church service was conducted by Rev Judy Mgugua and Evangelist Lucy Wangunjiri.
During that service Beth Mugo said that when she met her late husband he told her that she is the only girl he has ever loved.
“He told me that loved me and that I’m the only girl that he ever loved.” Beth said.
Many leaders have condoled Mugo’s family during this trying times as they celebrate their loved one.
President Uhuru Kenyatta who is also cousin to Senator Beth Mugo mourned the ambassador’s death. He termed Mugo as patriot who contributed in laying strong foundation for the country progress post-independence period and prayed to God to give his family strength and grace to bear the loss.
“We will forever cherish Mr. Nicholas Mugo’s contribution in laying a strong foundation for this country’s progress. We appreciate that during our early days of independence, he was able to represent our nation as a diplomat in the United Kingdom and later at the UN General Assembly where, together with other Kenyans, he effectively represented Kenya’s interests at the global arena,” President Kenyatta said.
“At this hour of mourning, I pray that the Almighty God will give Senator Beth Mugo and her family the strength and grace to bear the loss of their patriarch,” He added
Through his twitter Deputy President Hon. William Ruto comforted the Mugo’s family praying to Lord to lift them in safety.
“May God grant Senator Beth Mugo strength to bear with the loss of her dear husband, Ambassador Nicholas Muratha Mugo.”
“Be comforted by the word of the Lord in Job 5:11: The lowly he sets on high and those who mourn are lifted to safety. Rest in Peace, Nicholas.” Ruto tweeted.
Wiper Democratic Movement Party Leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka consoled the Senator Mugo’s family remembering Ambassador Mugo as a quiet person who was devoted to his family an accomplished diplomat who made a significant difference in the lives of those he read.
“My family and the Wiper Democratic Movement share with you Senator Beth Mugo the grief and sorrow felt at this mournful time. I remember your beloved husband Amb. Nicholas Murathe Mugo first and foremost for his quiet, dignified strength, which was a hallmark of his personality.
So too for his devotion to you and your family. In addition, Amb. Mugo’s track record in service for Kenya as our diplomat in London, the UN General Assembly, the Vatican, Ethiopia, Sudan, France and Yugoslavia between 1969 and 1978 speaks volumes.
Amb. Mugo embodied the late world icon Nelson Mandela’s sentiments: What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead. Amb. Mugo made a difference, “Kalonzo tweeted.
Others leaders who sent their condolences to Mugo’s family include national assembly speaker Justin B. Muturi, senate speaker Ken Lusaka, senate majority leader Samuel Poghisio, Nairobi women representative Esther Passaris, Caleb Amisi MP Saboti constituency, Eldas MP Adan Keynan among m
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