Gachagua's last breath on earth restores unity back to the troubled county of Nyeri
In a rare show of unity both the president and the opposition chief read from the same script for once and all called for the Nyeri County to Unite and work towards serving the people of Nyeri.
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Over 20,000 mourners led Uhuru, Deputy President William Ruto, Former President Mwai Kibaki and Raila shared a tent and kept off politics.
Margaret Nyokabi, the late Nyeri Governor's first wife paid him a moving tribute at his funeral on Monday, describing him as her rock.
“I will carry my husband in my heart. He gave me four beautiful children whom he loved. I still have memories of how he came home from work each time we got blessed with a new baby,” she said as quoted by a local daily.
The President eulogised Gachagua as a visionary and exemplary leader who guarded Nyeri's resources against theft and misuse.
The opposition chief, Raila Odinga said Gachungua will be remembered for his firm stand against the undermining of devolution.
"I pay tribute to Gachagua and Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana for standing firm in support of devolution," he said "The two did not give in to blackmail and intimidation in the form of bench-marking trips."
"I did not know I could agree with Opposition leader Raila Odinga at a burial. This day is indeed historic as I agree that county governments need to be allowed to work," Uhuru stated in reference to Raila’s statement that too much money was being wasted on unnecessary trips during bench-marking.
"Too much money has been used on trips that have not added value to our country," Raila said
Deputy President William Ruto described Gachagua as a committed and selfless leader who dedicated his life to serving his people by championing the roll out of devolution in 2013.
"We were able to roll out devolution because of the commitment of governors led by Gachagua. His contribution in the Council of Governors showed how committed he was to his nation and Nyeri county," he said.
Unlike the fiery atmosphere witnessed in the Burial of the late Ole Ntimama where leaders ‘disrespected the dead’ and clashed during Gachagua’s burial, leaders from different political divide carried themselves in decorum and call for unison, fulfilling Gachagua’s long term dream of uniting the people of Nyeri.
in a weird way Gachungua devotion to devolution was witnessed during his burial, at least 18 choppers landed in Nyeri and a record 35 governors attended Nderitu Gachagua burial at Hiriga on Monday in a way showing the people of Nyeri what devolution can do should the country resources be wisely allocated.
All leaders present called for Nyeri residents to work with new Governor Samuel Wamathai to achieve Nderitu Gachagua's dreams.
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