The Masinde Muliro Statue was unveiled on Tuesday, 19 July 2022 by outgoing Trans Nzoia Governor Patrick Khaemba at the Kitale Bus Park, in honour of the independence and multiparty crusader and hero. The occasion was graced by elders from the 18 subtribes of the Luhya community and overseen by Muliro’s family members, led by his first son Mwambu. The occasion was also graced by former cabinet minister Musikari Kombo who praised the late Muliro for his role in the fight for a multi-party state in Kenya. ‘Muliro was a man who transcended the village and the region to fight for the first and second liberation of Kenya’ he said. The newly built bus park and business centre was also renamed in honour of Masinde Muliro.
Born on 30 June 1922, Masinde Muliro is remembered as a strict, no-nonsense disciplinarian who shaped Kenya’s political landscape. He collapsed and died at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on 14 August 1992, just months to the country’s first multiparty elections following the repeal of Section 2A. He is buried at his Sibanga farm in Cherang’any.
The eight feet statue is an exact replica of Muliro complete with his pipe and walking stick. It was designed and executed by veteran Kenyan sculptor Gerard Otoo Motondi who holds a Doctorate degree in Fine Art from Kenyatta University. He has participated in many international art events and, notably, was the gold medal winner in the 2008 Beijing Sculpture Olympics. He is keen in artistically recording Kenyan history by creating sculptures for Kenyan heroes. His sculptures can be seen in sculpture parks around the world. The statue is mounted on a six feet pedestal, weighs one ton and was bronze casted using 800 kg of bronze, 100 kg of copper and 100kg of tin.
The accompanying plaque says: ‘Good was done in the land because Masinde Muliro was committed to seeing justice and fairness in all situations and at all times.’