Former Foreign Affairs assistant minister Dr Hezron Manduku will be laid to rest at his Nyaribari Masaba home on Friday, it has been confirmed.

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Dr Manduku died in Nairobi Hospital last Sunday after battling a disease for decades, which saw him seek medication in United States of America and elsewhere.

Coming amid heightened political temperatures in Gusii, the funeral will bring together allies of Deputy President William Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i.

The two teams have been going ballistic against each other, both claiming that they stand a good chance of forming government in 2022.

Both Dr Ruto and Matiang'i are also expected to attend, with Raila Odinga missing out due to his on going tour in Indonesia. He was a personal friend to Manduku.

"We are not interested in politics. We shall just come to mourn a colleague who has left us. The most important thing is to condolences with the family," said Shadrack Mose, who is allied to Ruto.

On her part, Nyamira Woman Representative Jerusha Momanyi said: "As politicians, we should desist from politicising funerals. I expect calmness and sobriety."

Also expected in the funeral on Friday is nonagenarian Simeon Nyachae, whose party Ford People sponsored Manduku to 9th Parliament.

Dr Manduku was first elected to 7th parliament in 1992 after beating Sam Ongeri. He is the owner of Hema Hospital and school. He established the hospital in 1978.

The last time Ruto and Matiang'i shared podium in Gusii was last year in September at Sironga during the burial of Henry Obwocha, another former minister.

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