Ruto and Gachagua meet face to face at requiem mass of late Ol Kalou MP
By Aloys Michael, April 8, 2026President William Ruto and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua came face to face at the Requiem Mass of the late Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
The service brought together political leaders and residents, blending a sombre moment of mourning with an undercurrent of political tension ahead of the 2027 general election.
Gachagua was accompanied by his brigades led by Nyandarua Senator John Methu.
Speaking earlier in Nairobi during the unveiling of a Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate for the Emurua Dikirr parliamentary by-election, Gachagua called on Nyandarua residents to receive President Ruto respectfully. He emphasised that the funeral was a solemn occasion, urging supporters to avoid public disruptions.
“Sisi hatuna maneno na mtu yeyote. Kesho tuko hapo Nyandarua, tunaenda matanga ya MP wa Olkalou ambaye amezikwa na heshima kwa muda wa kutisha… kama Rais William Ruto atakuja, akaribishwe vizuri na heshima, na nilisema juzi, asipigiwe kelele na mtu yeyote,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua questioned why the burial of the late Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno was expedited, contrasting it with the extended mourning period for MP Kiaraho. He stressed that political differences should be resolved at the ballot box rather than during funerals.
“Yeye ni Rais wa Jamhuri ya Kenya, hata kama ameharibu nchi hatutaki kumpigia kelele. Tutakuwa na nafasi ya kuumiza yeye kwa debe. Hapo kwa debe ndio maneno iko,” Gachagua added.
While advocating for calm, Gachagua also criticised the government’s unfulfilled promises, including roads and electricity projects.
“Sisi tulikuchagua, tulikupenda… Kuja leta ile uongo yote ambayo umebakisha, tumezoea kusikiza,” he said.
The Requiem Mass became both a moment of mourning and a subtle political stage, with Gachagua affirming he would attend despite opposition calls to stay away due to President Ruto’s presence. He emphasised that no one could prevent him or his supporters from paying their respects to the late MP.
Battle for Mt Kenya
Gachagua’s approach blends hardline rhetoric with strategic outreach, as he seeks to position himself as the undisputed voice of the region.
In recent months, he has repeatedly branded those outside his camp as enemies of the mountain or traitors, promising to politically isolate them.
At the same time, he has adopted a softer tone when engaging former critics, embracing what he calls a gather all, scatter none philosophy.
“I have urged them to work hard to be elected. All traitors of the Kenyan people and our community who are helping William Ruto persecute our people must be voted out without fear or favour,” he said.
The truce
This repositioning signals an attempt to rebuild alliances within the region and present a united front, particularly after a political truce with Jubilee Deputy party leader Jeremiah Kioni.
Kioni has since praised Gachagua’s recent political manoeuvres, suggesting they have energised opposition politics in ways previously unseen.
“What Gachagua has achieved in the last one or so years, Raila Odinga was unable to achieve for all the time he led us in protests,” Kioni said at a rally in Ol’Kalou on March 25, 2026.
“This time, the country is united in saying ‘Wantam’. We give that credit to Gachagua, and you should know that he is a man. We have a leader, and I will explain why some other time.”
On the ground, Gachagua has maintained a relentless presence across Mt Kenya counties. His schedule includes political rallies, media appearances on local radio and television stations, and participation in church services and funerals, key social platforms that shape grassroots opinion in the region.