Gachagua Offers Glimpse Into Looming Raila-Ruto Face-To-Face
Gachagua revealed that Ruto would grace her burial set for Saturday, May 13.
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Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday, May 7 hinted at the possibility of President William Ruto and Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga meeting each other eye to eye for the first time since competing against each other in the August 9, 2022, general elections.
Speaking during a memorial service of the late freedom fighter Field Marshal Mukami Kimathi, Gachagua revealed that Ruto would grace her burial set for Saturday, May 13.
“The President has directed that the government take over the burial preparations of Mukami to give her a decent send-off.
DP Rigathi Gachagua interacts with the late Mukami Kimathi (far right) at a hospital in Nairobi on January 15, 2023. /DPPS
“Ruto himself has promised he will lead the nation on that day as we bury our freedom fighter,” Gachagua remarked.
His sentiments came after the former Prime Minister assured that he would be in attendance at the burial ceremony during his visit to Lee Funeral Home where her body is being preserved.
While responding to Raila's assertion that he and Mukami were close friends and thus does not require any invitation to attend, Gachagua noted that everyone, including all leaders, is welcome.
“We have heard some people indicate that they want to attend the burial and we want to assure them that they are welcome.
“This burial will see a congregation of MauMau fighters who fought for independence and collaborators who helped colonisers take our land,” the DP announced.
Gachagua revealed that Mukami's burial would set the stage for discussions on land injustices, in what could be a tense affair between Raila, Gachagua and Ruto.
“The burial of Mukami, who was a freedom fighter, could kickstart a discussion about land ownership in Kenya.
“The Mau Mau fought for land but after independence, they did not get it. We would want to interrogate who benefitted from those lands and discuss what should be done going forward,” he animated the agenda during Mukami’s burial.
Raila termed Mukami's death as a blow to the nation while explaining the reason for calling for the state funeral service at Uhuru Gardens, noting that this would be in honour of Dedan Kimathi and other freedom fighters.
“I would wish the final state funeral service in honour of the late Maitu Mukami Kimathi to be held at Uhuru Gardens where Mau Mau freedom fighters were being tortured,” stated Raila.
He further called out Gachagua over politicising the death of Mukami, noting that it was the responsibility of the government to take care of the war heroes.
The DP on Friday, May 5 announced that Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo will steer a national funeral committee to plan the burial of the late Mukami.
He further announced that the funeral service for the late Mukami will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at her home in Njabini, Nyandarua County and that President Ruto will lead the government in giving the late hero a befitting send-off.
