Guyana’s longest serving Sergeant-of-Arms of Parliament (in Guyana referred to as the Mace Bearer), Kenneth Carnegie King MS, was on Monday laid to rest with glowing tributes coming from both government and the opposition, thanking him for the service he provided to this nation.
He was 98 years old.
He had served from pre-independence, acting periodically in the post from 1957 until he assumed the substantive position in 1976. King served until he retired in 2002.
A World War Two veteran stationed in Trinidad and Tobago, and former Marshal and Bailiff in Guyana, King died at his home in East La Penitence, his son Gregory King said.
The younger King disclosed that his father was not ill but had stopped eating and had gotten so weak that he passed shortly after.
Tributes poured in from persons he worked with in Parliament, his friends and those whose lives he touched.
“It is with profound grief that I stand before you, on behalf of the Hon. Manzoor Nadir, Speaker of the National Assembly, Members of Parliament, from both the Government & Opposition benches, Mr. Sherlock Isaacs, Clerk of the National Assembly, and members of staff at the Parliament Office, to remember and celebrate the life and legacy of a remarkable individual and dedicated public servant,” Yannick December, Public Relations Officer at Parliament, read in a tribute.
“Kenneth King was more than a colleague; he was a pillar of strength, integrity, and commitment. For twenty-five years, he faithfully upheld the traditions and protocols of the Parliament, ensuring the smooth and orderly conduct of our proceedings. His presence was a constant reminder of the values we strive to uphold: respect, discipline, and dedication to public service,” he added.
He said that as a Sergeant-at-Arms, King embodied the true spirit of his role. “He was the guardian of the chamber, the keeper of order, and a trusted advisor to many. His meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to duty earned him the respect and admiration of all who had the privilege of working with him. He was not just a guardian of our legislative processes, but a mentor and a friend to many within these walls,” December expressed.
King had seven children and is survived by five of them.
