High Court judge Aggrey Muchelule is mourning his wife Keziah who made a name for herself as a language teacher.
The mother of three died on March 3 aged 64. She will be buried on Saturday at the family home in Mukumu, Kakamega.
Keziah specialised in English and French, having graduated with Bachelor of Education (Arts) degree from Kenyatta University and a diploma in French.
Fernandez Imanazi, a mourner, spoke for many of Keziah's former students when he said he owes all the English he speaks to her patience with him.
"She had a way with the language. Even when teaching, she would repeat a concept many times without getting tired," Imanazi said.
Between 1988 and 1996, she was the head of languages department in many secondary schools.
Upon graduation, Keziah taught in a teacher’s college for two years between 1983 and 1985.
She is survived by her children Linda Masya, Brian Shikumo and Bruce Habwe.
She was grandmother to Beniah Masya and Zyana Muchelule.
For Gerald Makhoha, who was her student in the 1990s, it was Keziah's ability to teach French with ease that made him respect her.
"She made me know French and this has opened opportunities for me in many places. I'm sorry for her death," the 40-year-old resident of Kakamega said.
After she quit the classroom, Keziah worked as operations officer at the Kenya Ports Authority from 1997 until she retired in 2018. She had a master’s in business administration from the University of Nairobi.
Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya appointed her as a member of the Kakamega municipality board. She served as the chair of the board's planning and development committee.
The death of Keziah comes a year after the judge lost his mother Dinah Isendi in January 2021.
Chief Justice Martha Koome led a delegation of top Judiciary officials and judges to Muchelule's Nairobi home to condole with him for the loss of his wife.
The delegation included her deputy Phelomena Mwilu, members of the Judicial Service Commission, a host of judges and administrators.
