Several leaders have sent their messages of condolences following the demise of the late Nyeri Governor Wahome Gakuru. The late Governor was involved in an accident at Kabati along the Thika-Sagana highway in Murang’a County on Tuesday morning. He was taken to Thika Level 5 hospital but succumbed to his injuries. His body was taken to Lee Funeral Home, and several leaders who were present at Lee Funeral Home expressed their condolences, led by Deputy President William Ruto among others.
In a statement, President Uhuru Kenyatta lauded the late Governor as a visionary and tireless leader, “Nyeri and the country have been robbed of a great promise with the demise of Dr. Gakuru.” He hailed him as a great leader and action-oriented man who set out to do his work without delay after the August 8th polls.
Deputy President William Ruto who was at Lee Funeral Home said accidents have progressively become the leading cause of deaths in the country, saying the morning incident was very tragic. “It’s a very sad and tragic morning to the family of Mr Gakuru, his wife, children and the people of Nyeri whom he had great plans for, and also for the nation of Kenya,” said DP Ruto. He added that the ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru will be in charge of burial preparations, together with Nyeri Deputy Governor Mutahi Kahiga and Senator Ephraim Maina. “We can’t say much at this point in time, we pass our very deep and sincere condolences to the family and the people of Nyeri,” said the Deputy President.
Elsewhere, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli said he late Gakuru was an articulate leader, “We have lost a very articulate, well knowledgeable and promising administrator. It’s a big loss for not only Nyeri residents and the County but also to the nation,” said Atwoli. He added that Kenyans have heavily invested in the newly elected Governors and losing one of them is a big setback, “Gakuru is a man who crafted the 2030 vision for Kenyans, he is a man who knew where Kenya would be between now and 2030,” revealed Atwoli.
On his part, Sirisia MP John Waluke who was present at Lee Funeral home said the late Gakuru played a vital role in campaigning for President Uhuru Kenyatta and was also a group leader together with Governor Jackson Mandago during the campaign trail. “I condole with his family, Nyeri residents and all Kenyans,” said Waluke, “He was a hard-working person who loved development and had set his eyes on establishing development in Nyeri.”
Former devolution CS and Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru said the late Governor had set up great plans and was part of the vision to revive the railway operations, “We were working as Mt. Kenya leaders on the railway issues, issues of healthcare and also dealing with farmers,” she said. The Governor said that his shoes will be difficult to fill but encouraged Nyeri residents to keep the late Gakuru’s vision alive.