When President William Ruto took to the podium during the requem mass of Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho, he wasted little time in delivering what many interpreted as a pointed response to his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua.
Dismissing Gachagua’s call for the crowd to accord him respect as an unsolicited gesture, Ruto made it clear he needed no one’s clearance to visit any part of the country.
“I will go anywhere and do anything. I don’t need permission from anyone,” he said.
In a ‘response’ to Gachagua’s earlier remarks, Ruto called for national unity and warned against leaders he accused of sowing division.
“I will unite our nation of Kenya. We cannot accept people preaching divisions. Mtu asiniletee vita yake… ailete kati yangu na watu wa mlima,” he stated.
The President used the platform to draw contrast between development-focused leadership and what he described as empty noise and insults, insisting that leaders would ultimately be judged by their record.
“We celebrate the life and times of this great leader,” he said of the late MP, describing Kiaraho as focused, forthright, committed and hardworking.
Notably, Ruto acknowledged that his own party, UDA, had fielded a candidate against Kiaraho in the 2022 General Election, and lost.
He framed the late MP’s victory as a testament to the power of service delivery over political rhetoric.
“It is true, in 2022, we tried as UDA to compete with Kiaraho, but he defeated us because of work. These wananchi recognise work, not noise, not insults,” Ruto said.
Responding to Nyandarua Senator John Methu, who questioned the status of unfulfilled development pledges in the region, Ruto was unapologetic, urging every leader to account for their own promises.
“Not every leader said what they will do. Everyone, plan your work; what you promised wananchi. I know how I will fulfil mine; you struggle with yours,” he stated.
On development, the President pointed to the planned Ol Bolossat – Kwanjiku road project. He announced that the government had gazetted the establishment of Nyandarua University College, pledging financial support for infrastructure development in the area.
The late MP David Njuguna Kiaraho, who passed away on March 29, 2026, following a prolonged illness, is set to be laid to rest at his farm in Tigoni, Kiambu County, on Friday, April 10.
