Nairobi — THE list of those who contributed over Sh9 million towards the burial expenses of former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga's wife contains Cabinet ministers, present and former MPs, and notables.

Virginia Nyakio was buried with three others on January 23 at Njenga's home in Kitengela. Virginia was murdered with her driver in April 2008 in Gatundu by unknown assailants.

Nyakio was buried with her driver and two Mungiki leaders killed a week after her.

A large crowd, by some estimates over 20,000, attended, many of them ferried in from long distances. Young men in new suits provided security and guided mourners to their seats.

Sh6 million in bills for the mortuary and funeral home had accumulated for the four deceased since 2008.

During the funeral, Njenga told mourners that Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu, Starehe MP Bishop Margaret Wanjiru and businessman Irshad Sumra were those who helped him raise the mortuary fee. Reportedly a rising political star in Central Province paid Sh4.7 million through Waititu to clear the mortuary bill.

He said other people whom he did not name helped raise the cash through MPESA.

The receipts were deposited in Njenga's Equity Bank account in Ongata Rongai branch.

Retired President Daniel Moi yesterday denied that he donated an undisclosed amount towards the burial of Nyakio when Njenga's younger brother Njoroge visited him in Kabarnet on January 15.

"I can tell you that that story is false. I am the authentic source and anything else to the contrary of what I say is a fabrication. Nothing of the sort ever happened," his spokesman Lee Njiru said yesterday. "Mzee did not at any point in time make such contribution as may be alleged by your sources." A former senior Cabinet minister from Central, who previously supported Mungiki and demanded the release of Maina Njenga from custody, reportedly donated Sh1 million.

Former Kiambaa MP Njenga Karume confirmed that he had helped Njenga but would not say how.

"It is normal African practice to help friends and relatives when they are bereaved. My friends and I helped Maina bury his wife and those other people," said Njenga.

A group calling themselves 'Nakuru businessmen' gave Sh900,000 while Mungiki coordinators from across Kenya gave 627,000.

Lawyer Paul Muite was on the list and confirmed donating Sh20,000.

Last year Muite sent shockwaves through the political system when he wrote to Attorney General Amos Wako saying Maina had sworn an affidavit listing the names of those in government who had assisted Mungiki.

Muite said he intended to present the affidavit in court as evidence to show that murder changes against Njenga were politically instigated.

Shortly afterward Njenga was released.

Muite said yesterday that he also gave another Sh10,000 on behalf of Gitobu Imanyara who was away at the time.

Various cabinet ministers and MPs told the Star yesterday that some of the money donated to Njenga was channeled through Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu.

Waititu confirmed that he and his friends had contributed but would not reveal who donated what.

"My friends and I went to support Njenga in every way we could including financially. He needed money and other form of help," said Waititu on telephone.

Wanjiru, the Bishop of Jesus is Alive Ministries yesterday did not confirm or deny that she contributed Sh700,000 towards the funeral as recorded on the list.

"That is a lot of money. Are you asking if I contributed that personally?" said Wanjiru without elaborating.

Another source said she had only donated Sh20,000.

On Saturday Moi and Njenga appeared at a peace rally in Eldoret where Njenga declared that he was a Kanu life member would hold further meetings in the region "because I reside in Rift Valley".

In 2002 Njenga and Mungiki campaigned for Uhuru Kenyatta, Moi's choice as Kanu presidential candidate.

Kanu officials said at the weekend that Njenga would stand for Parliament as a Kanu candidate in Laikipia but people close to him predict he will stand in Nairobi in 2012.