Away from the volatile political arena. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has taken to social media to announce bad news that has befallen his family.
The vibrant leader who is at the center of allegation that he funded and encouraged youths to protest has asked Kenyans to pray for him and his family for the loss.
Here Is the statement from Gachagua after losing his Aunt.
Today, I am at my lowest since I lost my mother in 2019. I was called at 3.00 a.m. last night and informed that my only surviving Aunt Gladys Gathoni Kahua had been taken ill, and I needed to see her urgently.
I did guide that she be taken to Jamii Hospital in Karatina Town and purposed to see her at 4pm today.
At 9.00 a.m., I did a follow-up with the hospital, and she was stable. I left for Karatina at 2.00pm, and unfortunately, I fell into a huge traffic jam near Ruiru and lost almost 30 minutes.
I was called by the Doctors and requested that I hurry up since she indicated that her time on earth was running out.
I struggled and arrived at the hospital at 4.10pm only to be told I was 5 minutes late; my aunt left us at 4.05pm.
Aunt Gathoni was my only surviving Aunt of my mother’s side, and since the demise of my mum, she has been my mother, my mentor, my cheerleader, and a prayer worrier so loving.
As young lads, we used to call her ‘tata wa matunda’ (the fruits’ Aunt) because of the yellow passion she grew on her farm, which we used to so dearly enjoy.
While in the office and in the village, I used to take my morning walk and pass by her house to enjoy a heavy and hot breakfast of porridge and boiled maize.
We would laugh and laugh to her folktales, Mau Mau Struggle songs, unending stories of mau struggle and forest experiences where she and my late mother were in the cause while fighting the colonialists.
She used to teach me kimeru language and always told me I was ‘Kiana Kia Mwari’ (son of a daughter) and that I needed to re-unite with our Meru family.
We loved each other. We were close. She called me the apple of her eye and her favorite son. We spent quality time together, and her wise counsel anchors me on.
I have no one to turn to in this grief and pain. I have lost a mentor and a counselor.
I feel hollow, down, and abandoned.
My deepest sympathies to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, her friends, and the people of Inono village who used to join me for the visits and early morning breakfast whenever I visited.
As you rest, Aunt, we will give you a befitting and dignified send-off for a heroine you were to us.
You played a great role in my leadership and in my life.
May the Almighty God rest your soul in eternal peace and perpetual light shine upon you forever.
