Atwoli disclosed that Maureen died at around 11 p.m. the previous night, leaving the family grieving her sudden departure. He appeared visibly distressed as he addressed the gathering, with mourners seated behind him in matching purple attire.
The veteran trade unionist also revealed that Maureen had left a will containing a specific final request concerning what should happen to her remains after death. According to Atwoli, the family discovered that she had requested to be cremated.
The revelation reportedly caught some family members off guard, with relatives questioning why Maureen had not informed them about her wishes before her death. However, Atwoli indicated that the family was prepared to respect her final decision.
He explained that honouring the request was emotionally difficult for him, despite his willingness to ensure her wishes were fulfilled. Atwoli recalled witnessing preparations during a previous cremation ceremony in Kisumu, saying the experience was painful.
Atwoli said the earlier experience had affected him so deeply that he could not remain until the cremation process was completed. The memory reportedly resurfaced as the family prepared to honour Maureen’s final wishes following her death.
Maureen and Professor Lukoye Atwoli had reportedly been married for several decades. Their marriage was blessed with four children, making her an important member of the wider Atwoli family.
The disclosure has attracted considerable attention among Kenyans, particularly because cremation remains a relatively uncommon choice for many Kenyan families. Maureen’s decision, however, appears to have been clearly documented in her will.
Atwoli acknowledged the generational differences surrounding burial practices and personal choices after death. He suggested that the family’s surprise reflected the difficulty relatives sometimes experience when a loved one’s final wishes differ from traditional expectations.
Despite the emotional circumstances, Atwoli maintained that Maureen’s wishes deserved to be respected. His remarks offered a glimpse into the private grief facing the family while also highlighting the importance of documenting one’s preferences.
The death has left Professor Lukoye, their four children and the wider Atwoli family mourning. As preparations surrounding her final farewell continued, attention remained focused on the unusual circumstances surrounding her final request.
Atwoli’s emotional account has since sparked conversations online about cremation, wills and whether people should openly discuss their preferred funeral arrangements with relatives before their deaths.
For the Atwoli family, however, the immediate priority remains coming to terms with the loss while ensuring that Maureen’s documented wishes are honoured. Her decision has become a significant part of the family’s mourning following her death.