“They Are Not Welcome”: Methu, Gachagua Barred from Kiaraho Funeral over Ruto Attacks

Senator John Methu and Rigathi Gachagua at the funeral of the late David Kiaraho.

A parliamentary committee overseeing the burial arrangements of the late Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho has barred politicians who used a recent memorial service to criticise President William Ruto from attending subsequent funeral events.

Speaking on Thursday, April 9, Ad-Hoc Funeral Planning Committee Chair Kwenya Thuku said the decision was informed by what he described as disrespectful conduct by some leaders during the earlier memorial service.

Thuku criticised politicians who turned the solemn occasion into a political platform, accusing them of attacking the Head of State instead of focusing on honouring the late legislator.

“The attacks on the Office and the person of the President were unthinkable, especially at a time when he had attended to console the family and mourn with constituents,” Thuku said.

He announced that those involved would not be allowed to attend the requiem mass scheduled for Thursday afternoon or the burial ceremony set for Friday, April 10, at Kiaraho’s home in Tigoni.

“We cannot allow such kind of disrespect. Those characters are not welcome at any further funeral events for Hon. Kiaraho. We will not entertain any more political attacks at a ceremony meant to honour our colleague,” he added.

Thuku made the remarks following a consultative meeting with the family’s organising team and security agencies at Parliament.

Tensions had flared during the memorial service when Nyandarua Senator John Methu openly criticised the President, prompting Thuku to intervene and take away the microphone.

Methu had told the President directly that he was not afraid of him and would continue to call out unmet promises affecting Nyandarua residents.

At the same event, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also launched a sharp attack on Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, accusing him of betraying the Mount Kenya region and contributing to President Ruto’s political challenges.

Gachagua further took issue with the President’s remarks about the region, urging him to stop branding Mount Kenya residents as tribal, while insisting that his political influence remained intact despite his impeachment.

In response, President Ruto dismissed the claims, maintaining that he does not require permission to visit any part of the country. He also accused his former deputy of turning personal disagreements into regional issues.

The Head of State defended Ichung’wah, stating that no individual leader has the authority to determine electoral outcomes through public declarations.