A tribute to My Father - Hon. Fredrick Mwanzia Daudi

Delivered on 6th March 2014 @ AIC Milimani Church, Nairobi

Before I tell a story about my Dad I wanted to relate to you a bit about the strength behind my father and that’s my Mum (Catherine).   As a son I probably took for granted the dedicated love that she had for my father – we always knew the love she had for us by all of the selfless things she did for us without ever fussing or even letting us know what she was doing – but we did Mom – and that love was always there! 

What I have realized for the past 5 years that Dad has been unwell was that same dedicated love for my father that I never saw – but knew was always there. To see my Mom care for my Dad this last 5 years – from the gentle cleaning of his medical items, to the constant encouragement and many trips to procure the prescription drugs, was to see that love demonstrated in action.   That made me realize the quiet, selfless, caring loving way of affection that my Mom had for my Dad that I never really knew or appreciated – THANKS MUM!! – But this story is about my Dad so........... Here we go…..

I have been thinking about my Dad this past week, finally coming to terms with the inevitable, I thought “How can I tell the story of this amazing man that conveys the message of what his love and strength has meant to me (and us all).  

What is it that I remember when we think of Dad? I think everyone who knew him would agree with me on this. It was his love for his family (immediate & extended). Dad would do anything for his family, he provided, guided, reprimanded and encouraged me. He was always there for me and my siblings.

His generosity knew no boundaries. He was the kind of person that would give you everything he’s got to make you comfortable & happy. All his family, friends & constituents understood this as we are all beneficiaries of his kindness. That is one of the things I will truly miss about Dad.

FMD (as we secretly referred to him with my brother) cherished hard work. This is a virtue that he instilled in us from the time we were young. Discipline was part of the drill and that was not negotiable. He never spared the rod to spoil us. We all feared that side of him. It is out of hard work and discipline that he managed to prosper from a tender age when he was at Mumbuni Primary School to become a successful land economist, a businessman, a politician and farmer. He was alive to the fact that for us to get a good life in future we had to have a good education, he never spared a coin and I can confirm to you that we got the best!

He was a great friend to many; he was the kind of friend that stood by you when you needed someone to be there. He was my friend from the time I was a young boy. Fondly, I remember when he used to come home late at night after having a drink with his pals on members’ day. Kenchic chicken was always on the menu. I rarely ate what Mum had prepared for dinner in anticipation of the kuku and chips.

When he decided to join competitive politics in 2002, he took us on holiday in 2001 to solicit for our support albeit some of us were not eligible to vote. He subsequently won the coveted seat. That was dad at his best. If he believed in a cause he would co-opt everyone diplomatically & tactfully.

He was a great leader, his development track is a constant reminder to this fact. He loved his constituents and they loved him back. He always wanted to go back to serve them but his health let him down. That was one of the hardest things that he had to live with during his last years. I thank God that it is not an issue for him anymore.

Dad loved Christ with all his heart. He declared this testimony to all. He was steadfast until he breathed his last. He was a devoted church elder. Always giving his time, finances and personal resources to serve God. Throughout his illness he never asked God why him, he always trusted his maker. He was a prayerful man.

His demise was sudden. I just can’t let go and don’t know how to or where to start from. Dad is in heaven now. This is not the time for us to grieve but it’s our time to celebrate his life. He never wanted to see people cry.

He wanted to make everyone happy. So at this moment when we are about to lay him to rest, let’s all think back and remember how Dad touched our lives. This is not the moment for us to shed our tears but we should all be thankful that we were given the chance to have known a great man by the name Hon. Fredrick Mwanzia Daudi.

As I was thinking about writing this tribute to my Dad I thought -- How can I say a few words that do justice to all of the years of love and strength that he gave us?  I hope that the real tribute to Dad will be the actions of my life -- that I am a testament to the love and lessons that he instilled in me!

I will forever be grateful for spending my life with a father & friend like him. So long dad, I know you and God will watch over and protect us. God has a supreme purpose for you. You will live on through us. I will miss you always.