On July 5, 1969, the nation was thrown into mourning following the assassination of celebrated Cabinet Minister and youthful trade unionist Tom Mboya.

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Mboya was shot while leaving a chemist along Government Road (Now Moi Avenue), with ultimate probe results pointing at one Nahashon Njenga as the killer.

In 1971, one of Mboya's admirers, an American named William Sheyman partly facilitated the construction of his mausoleum in Rusinga Island, Homabay County.

The roofing of the hut-shaped structure is given a bullet shape to represent the bullet that killed him, and is painted silver and also lubricated to prevent rust.

Inside are his achievements, medals, honors, mementos, artifacts, paintings, newspaper cuttings and traditional stuff, most emanating from his international friends and associates.

Before accessing interior one has to go through a heavy wooden door which resembles a coffin, with his grave sitting right opposite the door, outside the mausoleum.

Next to him is the grave of William Sheyman whose ashes were moved and buried there in 1997, having expressed his wish to be laid to rest beside the great man in the days that he was alive.

The place is surrounded by a vast parcel of land where the government seeks to put up a library in his honor.

The historical facility which is frequented mostly by curious students is managed by the National Museums of Kenya and placed under the watch of Tom's younger brother, Paul Mboya.

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