Mutharika was joined by the Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima, former First Lady Calista Mutharika and other government officials at the Kalilani’s funeral service, which took place at Mutu village in the area of Traditional Authority Mtema in Dowa.

Gerald Kalilani was also a brother to Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Dr. Jean Kalilani.

Vice president of Democratic Progressive Party for Central Region, Dr Hertherwick Ntaba, who gave eulogy on behalf of President Mutharika described the death of Kalilani, who succumbed to asthma attack on Sunday, as the most heartbreaking experience to the family.

“As we have heard from some of the family members, Gerald was a great person. It is the President’s hope that the relatives will continue with the humble spirit the late had and continue working hard for the betterment of the nation,” advised Ntaba.

Speaking earlier, Zohra Kalilani, one of the deceased’s seven children encouraged her siblings to continue loving each other the way their departed 67 year old father taught them.

“Our backbone is broken and as a family, we can’t stand up any more with this shocking incident. He was a father and a mentor to all of us in our family. We will continue praying for him for his soul to rest in peace,” mourned Zohra Kalilani.