Residents of Kambungu village, Embu county, gathered for the burial of popular model Linzie Mumbi, marking the occasion with a unique blend of sorrow and celebration.
The ceremony, which coincided with what would have been Linzie's 23rd birthday, featured mourners dressed in bright white and red attire, releasing 23 white doves and colored balloons, and singing happy songs. According to Linzie's sister, Natasha Makena, the deceased had wished for people to celebrate her life rather than mourn her passing.
Family's Wish ¶
Linzie had also expressed a desire to be buried on her birthday, a wish that was fulfilled. None of the immediate family members wore black, adhering to Linzie's request for a celebratory tone.
The mourners, including notable figures such as National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso, and Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti, paid their respects to the young model.
Investigation into Cause of Death ¶
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, Linzie's family is still seeking answers regarding her untimely death. Her mother, Dr. Jane Ngarari, mentioned that they have not yet received a death certificate due to the unknown cause of death. An inquest has been opened, following an inconclusive post-mortem examination.
Linzie, a mechanical engineer and student of Aerospace Technology at Coventry University, passed away in the UK after developing a sudden bout of vomiting, allegedly from a food bug.
A Life of Promise ¶
Linzie's parents, Eliezer Ngarari and Dr. Jane Ngarari, remembered their daughter as a talented and ambitious individual who had expressed a desire to become a commercial pilot. She had a successful modeling career, featuring in numerous adverts and billboards across the country, including a notable appearance on a Ribena billboard in Nairobi.
