Mombasa Deputy Governor Dr William Kingi joined the family of the late Minister for Tourism Karisa Maitha in the burial of his widow, the late Alice Mbodze Maitha.
"Mama Alice will be remembered for her supportive role in the struggle for the liberation of the Coastal people during the times of the late former Tourism Minister," Kingi said on Saturday.
Representing Governor Ali Hassan Joho, the DG indicated Mbodze had been an audible voice in addressing the plight of the coastal women, and as well a great player in community development.
"We shall remember her love for the Coconut Tree; a tree she so much loved and believed in as a reliable source of income for the empowerment of her community," he said.
"Even as we mourn and celebrate her life, we are glad she has left to us other Karisas in her children that shall surely keep the legacy alive."
"As a people, we remain indebted to the Karisas for their valuable contribution to the history and progress of the Coast region. Kalale Pehoni Mama, Hulamsire Mkare wehu, Mugogo," added Kingi.
Several coastal leaders also attended the burial in Mzambaraoni, Mtwapa in Kilifi County where the husband was laid to rest.
The deceased was the third and youngest widow of Maitha.
Karisa who was seen as the coast political kingpin, died of a heart attack in 2004 while on an official visit to Germany to market Kenya as a tourist destination. He was aged 50.
The former Kisauni MP rose from a councillor in Kisauni in the 1970s to become a powerful coast region political point-man and an influential Cabinet minister in President Mwai Kibaki’s government.
Children to the late said the mother was ailing and had been admitted in hospital for the past three weeks."She has been a fighter.
In 2013, she unsuccessfully vied for Mombasa senatorial post through TNA party, which was merged into the current Jubilee Party, headed by President Uhuru Kenyatta.