At least 38 governors attended the funeral of former Nyeri Govenor Nderitu Gachagua. The county chiefs arrived in luxury cars and helicopters in what could only be described as a show of power and opulence. Some of the governors who came by road started arriving at Gachagua’s Hiriga home at 10am in convoys of up to four vehicles with their sirens blazing.
Those in choppers landed at Hiriga Primary School grounds where at least 18 helicopters were parked to the amusement and awe of locals. Homes neighbouring the former governor’s residence had their compounds turned into temporary parking bays for security and county government officials who also arrived at the venue in Government cars. Governors’ security officers accompanied them around the venue, as their wives sat away from them.
Close to 3,000 people attended the funeral of the former governor with leaders from various ministries in the national government represented. They included Controller of Budget Agnes Odhiambo, Chief of Staff Joseph Kinyua, Cabinet secretaries Mwangi Kiunjuri and Eugene Wamalwa. Meru Governor Peter Munya said the governors had come in record numbers to mourn one of their own; a courageous man even in sickness.
LOW PROFILE “He was the first chairperson of the Agriculture committee and he ensured that key reforms were implemented under devolution,” Mr Munya said. He said Gachagua was a dedicated member of the Council of Governors who fought for the welfare of farmers. “Even with everything he was going through, he was able to continue to carry out the duties of a governor like putting in place the institutions and structures for the first County Government of Nyeri,” Munya said. Members of county assemblies from Kajiado also attended the funeral service, though only half of the Nyeri MCAs attended the function.
The MCAs kept a low profile. Nyeri Speaker David Mugo allowed the County Assembly Forum chairperson, Kajiado Speaker a Mr Tunoi, to speak on behalf of the assemblies. “We need to remember that the purpose of assemblies is oversight and there is nothing personal in our jobs,” Mr Tunoi said.
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