A charged moment briefly gripped the burial of Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho on Wednesday, April 8, before former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua cut through the tension with a sharp “Nisiskie Ngw’e!” as he ordered mourners to drop political chants and show respect to President William Ruto.
Taking the microphone in the presence of the Head of State, Gachagua urged the crowd to maintain calm and allow the president to speak without interruption, stressing that the burial was not the place for political slogans.
“I want to give guidance as the leader of the community. Nisiskie Ngwe! When the president comes here, let him be heard and be left.
“For now, you are still in office. Keep doing work for us, at least whatever you can manage. I don’t want to hear Wantam in these grounds, that is not meant for this burial,” Gachagua reiterated.
He criticised what he termed as rising hostility directed at the president during public gatherings, saying such conduct undermines the dignity of leaders attending in good faith.
The former Deputy President also dismissed claims by sections of the media that chaos was expected at the funeral due to his presence alongside Ruto.
Gachagua clarified that his political differences with the president were not personal, but quickly turned his focus to Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, warning that he would not tolerate him addressing the crowd.
He accused the lawmaker of betraying the Mount Kenya region and claimed he would have faced resistance from mourners.
He went on to state that the region was still open to working with the president, but only if he distances himself from leaders viewed as disloyal to the community.
“The Mount Kenya region does not like traitors and does not forgive betrayal. “We can work with you, but these kids you are walking with…” he stated.
The former deputy president also challenged Ruto to stop labelling people from the Mountain as tribal, and urged him to rein in his allies within the broad-based arrangement who have been criticising former president Uhuru Kenyatta.
Amid the political undertones, Gachagua paid tribute to Kiaraho, describing him as a firm and dependable leader who stood by him during his impeachment.
He recalled that their friendship dates back to 1985 and revealed that the late MP personally designed his home in Wamunyoro, highlighting the closeness they shared.