Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua used the requiem mass of Ol Kalou Member of Parliament David Njuguna Kiaraho to launch a pointed and emotional address directed at President William Ruto and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, while paying tribute to the late legislator he described as a man of unwavering loyalty.
Speaking during the requiem mass, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Leader acknowledged his ouster from the Deputy President’s office, but defiantly declared that removing him from power was far easier than erasing him from the hearts of the Mount Kenya community.
“Ni ukweli ulinitoa kwa ofisi, lakini kunitoa kwa roho za watu wa Mlima ni kibarua,” he told the congregation, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Taking a direct swipe at Ichung’wah, Gachagua challenged those who predicted his political irrelevance following his impeachment.
“President Ruto, Ichung’wah told you Riggy G will be forgotten in two weeks. How many years is it now?” He posed rhetorically, dismissing what he termed childish schemes against him. “Ambia Ichung’wah aache ujinga na utoto; kunipangia wakora umepitwa na wakati,” he added.
Despite the sharp political undertones, Gachagua struck a reconciliatory tone toward President Ruto, appealing for peace between the President and the Kikuyu community.
“You’re my brother; I request you to create peace with the Kikuyu community. Tukikuchagua hukuwa unaitwa Kamau, Njoroge; ulikuwa unaitwa William Kipchirchir Arap Ruto, na tukakupatia kura zetu. Ukienda kwa Wajaluo, usituite wakabila,” he said, reminding the President of the support Mount Kenya gave him during the 2022 General Election.
Gachagua reserved his harshest words for those he described as traitors within the community, singling out leaders he accused of working against their own people.
“Wale watu wangeona shida hapa ni kina Ichung’wah, kwa sababu ni wasaliti wa jamii yetu. Nilikuambia hawa vijana watakuweka kwa shimo. Watu wa Mlima hawapendi usaliti. Betrayal is not forgiven among our people,” he warned.
However, Gachagua urged the crowd to maintain decorum during the President’s visit, asking mourners to accord Ruto the respect befitting his office.
“Ruto apewe heshima yake; akienda pahali asikizwe, na akimaliza aende. Nisiskie ng’we ama wantam! Hata kama tukona shida, tutatatua huko mbele wakati wa uchaguzi. For now, let him do what he needs to do,” he insisted, adding that any political scores would be settled at the ballot.
The former Deputy President then turned his attention to the late MP David Kiaraho, whom he honoured as a symbol of integrity and brotherhood.
He revealed that the legislator had been pressured to vote for his impeachment but stood firm. “MP Kiaraho was threatened to remove me from office through impeachment. He refused to be bribed, and that’s why I am here to honour him. A man who can never betray his brother and his community is a great man,” Gachagua stated.
As he arrived at the venue, Gachagua also appealed to the police to allow the event to proceed without interruption.
“We come in peace. Please don’t disrupt MP Kiaraho’s burial,” he said.
The requiem mass attracted a large gathering of political figures and residents from the Nyandarua region, turning into one of the most politically charged events in the Mount Kenya region in recent months.
