Lee Funeral Home is a renowned for catering to Kenya’s elite, including high-profile figures like former Presidents Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki.
Its reputation as a premier funeral service provider stems from its history of hosting the bodies of influential individuals, making it a preferred choice for the wealthy and powerful.
Founded in 1987, the Lee Funeral Home is owned by John Stuart Lee, a former United Kingdom police officer who was born and raised in Kenya.
“I was born and educated here in Nairobi and in 1963 my parents and I went back to the UK and then in 1964 I joined the main police force and after a while they put me into Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge to work for the coroner’s office so I was dealing with pathologists and the undertakers every day,” he said.
In 1968, Lee returned to Kenya and during that period, the City Mortuary was in a deplorable condition prompting individuals to look for alternatives.
It was at this point that Lee came up with the idea of establishing a proper morgue emerged.
“When I came back to Kenya in 1968 and was told of the appalling state of City Mortuary, I was then being asked by various people can you help us to set up our funeral because we don’t want to go to City Mortuary ourselves and that’s where I got the idea from,” he stated.
With the help of veteran politician Charles Njonjo, Lee kicked off the construction of what is now known as Lee Funeral Home, opening it in 1988.
“I was walking from City Mortuary when Charles Njonjo who was the chairman of Nairobi Hospital (then) called me, asking if I would like to build a funeral parlour on the grounds of Nairobi Hospital. I was surprised and quickly took the offer, starting the construction in 1987. We opened our doors on December 12, 1988,” he said.
Powerful personalities whose bodies were taken to Lee Funeral Home include former Laikipia Senator GG Kariuki, former Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery and KANU politician Nicholas Biwott.
Others are former ministers John Michuki, Njenga Karume, George Saitoti, William ole Ntimama and Soita Shitanda, Internal Affairs Assistant Minister Orwa Ojode and former First Lady Lucy Kibaki.
Notably, businessman Jacob Juma, former Nyeri County governors Nderitu Gachagua and Wahome Gakuru were also preserved at the facility.
