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By Cantona Joseph April 08, 2026 12:57 (EAT)

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Kindiki was present at the event, which was also attended by President William Ruto.

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A memorial service meant to honour Ol Kalou MP David Njuguna Kiaraho turned politically charged on Wednesday after Nyandarua Senator John Methu appeared to snub Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in his remark.

Methu, who had been allowed to address mourners, instead recognised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as the “people’s deputy president”, a statement that electrified a section of the crowd.

Supporters rose in applause and cheers, briefly disrupting the otherwise solemn ceremony.

Kindiki was present at the event, which was also attended by President William Ruto.

Methu began by recognising the President before turning to Gachagua.

“My party leader, and the people’s deputy president Rigathi Gachagua,” he said amid cheers.

The Head of State arrived alongside National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano and several elected leaders.

The service unfolded against a backdrop of heightened political tension, with Ruto and Gachagua sharing the same podium for the first time in a charged public setting since their widely publicised fallout.

Earlier, tension had already gripped the venue after security officers blocked some leaders from accessing the VIP section.

A senior police officer was overheard instructing colleagues to allow only Gachagua entry.

“You, what is it? Just allow Gachagua to walk in, but do not allow others to pass,” a policewoman was heard directing as leaders arrived at the high-profile event.

Methu, a close ally of Gachagua, initially complied with the directive and stepped back.

However, he returned moments later, indicating that access had been granted.

A video circulating online later showed Methu and Gachagua walking into the VIP section side by side, suggesting the situation had been resolved.

In the days leading up to the memorial, Gachagua had warned allies of the President against any attempts to block his attendance, insisting he had every right to be present.

He described Nyandarua as his political backyard and maintained he would attend regardless of opposition.

Speaking on April 5, Gachagua reaffirmed his intention to be at the service, setting the stage for what many observers anticipated would be a politically sensitive gathering.

The late Kiaraho had been an influential political figure in the region.

He backed key political positions, including Gachagua’s impeachment in October 2024, and had actively campaigned for Ruto’s anticipated re-election bid in 2027.

Kiaraho died on March 29, 2026, at Nairobi Hospital at the age of 62.

Born on October 2, 1963, he was a trained architect and a graduate of the University of Nairobi, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.

How MP Kiaraho inspired wife to become ‘semi-architect’

“His passion for design, attention to detail and commitment to proper city planning rubbed off on me.”

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Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho was more than an architect; he was a visionary whose influence extended far beyond the city skyline.

He passed away on 29th March 2026 after a courageous battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy that shaped Nairobi’s architecture, the lives of his constituents in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua county and even the career path of his wife Jackie Kiaraho.

“My husband was an architect by profession, and I became a semi-architect because of him,” Jackie recalls. “His passion for design, attention to detail and commitment to proper city planning rubbed off on me. We shared a vision of buildings and communities that were not only beautiful but functional,” Jackie said.

Kiaraho’s work is instantly recognisable across Nairobi.

“He could not stand shoddy work or shortcuts,” Jackie says. “If it wasn’t done right, it simply wouldn’t pass.”

Beyond buildings, he championed thoughtful city planning, integrating roads, sewer lines, parking spaces and green areas.

Colleagues remember him as jovial and kind-hearted, someone who built friendships as easily as he built structures. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua mourned his passing, saying:

“I have learned with great sadness of his passing. He served the people of Ol Kalou with commitment and courage.”

The burial service was held on April 8, in Ol Kalou, with family, friends, and national leaders, including President William Ruto, in attendance.

For Jackie, David’s influence was deeply personal. “He taught me to see the world through the lens of design, to appreciate precision and to care about the way cities grow,” she says. “In a way, his legacy lives on not just in the buildings he designed or the roads he helped plan, but in me.”

Drama as Gachagua’s entourage briefly blocked at MP Kiaraho memorial service

A policewoman issued firm instructions as leaders arrived for the high-profile event

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Tension marked the memorial service of the late Ol Kalou MP David Njuguna Kiaraho in Nyandarua County as a police officer was overheard directing that only former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua be allowed into the VIP section.

The policewoman issued firm instructions as leaders arrived for the high-profile event, saying, “You, what is it. Just allow Gachagua to walk in but do not allow others to pass,” as Nyandarua Senator John Methu, a close ally of Gachagua, attempted to access the restricted area.

Methu initially complied and stepped back but returned moments later, indicating that access had been granted.

A video circulating online later showed Gachagua and Methu walking into the VIP section side by side, suggesting the situation had been resolved.

Shortly afterward, President William Ruto arrived at the venue accompanied by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano and several other elected leaders.

The service, held in Ol Kalou, unfolded against a backdrop of heightened political tension, with Ruto and Gachagua sharing a podium for the first time in a charged public setting since their fallout.

In the days leading up to the memorial, Gachagua had warned allies of the President against attempting to block his attendance, insisting he had every right to be present.

The leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) described Nyandarua as his political backyard and maintained that he would attend the service regardless of any opposition.

Speaking on April 5, Gachagua reaffirmed his intention to attend, setting the stage for what many observers anticipated would be a politically sensitive gathering.

Kiaraho’s death has amplified political undercurrents in the Mt Kenya region, given his firm alignment with Ruto’s camp prior to his passing.

The late MP had backed key political positions, including Gachagua’s impeachment in October 2024, and had been actively campaigning for Ruto’s anticipated re-election bid in 2027.

The impeachment of Gachagua not only removed him from office but also triggered a deep political split within Mt Kenya leadership.

Since then, rival factions have been engaged in a sustained battle to consolidate influence at the grassroots level, making public events such as Kiaraho’s memorial highly symbolic.

Kiaraho died on March 29, 2026, at Nairobi Hospital at the age of 62. Born on October 2, 1963, he was a trained architect and a graduate of the University of Nairobi, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.

He entered elective politics during the 2013 General Election, winning the Ol Kalou parliamentary seat on a The National Alliance (TNA) ticket under the Jubilee coalition wave that swept across central Kenya at the time.

He successfully defended his seat in the 2017 General Election after Jubilee transitioned into a unified political party.

Gachagua publishes brother’s will to address estate dispute

The public statement lays bare estate sharing formula in brother’s will

by Allan KisiaShare

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Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has publicly disclosed details of the will of his late brother, Nderitu Gachagua, in a move aimed at addressing mounting allegations of irregularities in the management and distribution of the deceased’s estate.

In a notice published in local dailies on Wednesday, Gachagua, who is listed as one of the executors of the estate alongside lawyer Mwai Mathenge and Njoroge Regeru, said the decision to make the will public was driven by persistent concerns raised by a section of beneficiaries.

“The statement aims to set the record straight with clarity and finality. From media reports, it appears that concerns have been raised by five out of the 23 beneficiaries,” the notice read.

The executors said they were compelled to release a comprehensive account of the estate’s administration to counter what they termed as a “public audit” being conducted without full access to records and relevant information.

“The Executors note that they have, in effect, been compelled to produce this accurate account of the Estate to ameliorate the prejudicial effect of a ‘public audit’ that is being conducted on the affairs of the Estate without the benefit of the full records, information and accounts,” the statement added.

The publication comes just days after some members of the Gachagua family reportedly wrote to President William Ruto seeking his intervention.

In their appeal, they called for investigations into alleged fraud, forgery and unlawful interference in the handling of the estate.

According to the executors, the contents of the will were not new and had long been known to all the 23 beneficiaries.

Nderitu Gachagua passed away on February 24, 2017, at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. Prior to his death, he executed a will dated February 17, 2017, clearly outlining how his wealth was to be distributed.

The will details an elaborate distribution plan for both family members and other beneficiaries.

A house located in the Lang’ata/Karen area of Nairobi was bequeathed to his first wife, Margaret Nyokabi, to hold in trust for the family.

Two additional properties, situated in Karen and Nyeri, were left to his second wife, Margaret Waithiegeni, who was already in occupation of the homes at the time of his death.

The executors confirmed that the titles for these properties have since been transferred to her in accordance with the deceased’s wishes.

The ancestral home, comprising four acres and a residential house, was allocated to the deceased’s two eldest sons, Kenneth Gachagua and Jason Kariuki, in equal shares.

The pair took possession of the property in 2022 and have reportedly been residing there since.

In addition, shares in Mweiga Homes were bequeathed to Rigathi Gachagua himself.

The will further outlines how the overall estate was to be shared. According to the distribution formula, 62 per cent of the net estate, after settlement of debts and liabilities, was allocated to Nderitu’s immediate family. A further 22 per cent was designated for 14 other beneficiaries, including siblings and step-siblings.

Administrative costs and liabilities to third parties accounted for 11 per cent of the estate, while the three executors were collectively allocated five per cent.

The statement also shed light on the sale of several high-value properties belonging to the estate, noting that they were disposed of at prices exceeding their reserve values.

Among them, Olive Gardens Hotel was sold for Sh412 million, significantly above its reserve price of Sh325 million. Queensgate Estate fetched Sh590 million against a reserve price of Sh470 million, while Vipingo Estate was sold for Sh250 million, surpassing its reserve price of Sh170 million. In total, the three transactions realised approximately Sh1.25 billion.

The executors defended the sales, describing them as the best offers available at the time and in line with their fiduciary duty to maximise value for beneficiaries.

The disclosure is expected to intensify public and family scrutiny over the estate, even as the executors maintain that all actions taken have been lawful, transparent and in strict adherence to the wishes of the deceased.

e-Citizen portal opens new access to Public Trustee Services

The initiative allows members of the public to access services efficiently and conveniently, without the need to travel to the Nairobi office.

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The Office of the Attorney General has announced that Public Trustee services are now accessible through the e-Citizen platform. The move aims to enhance access to justice and improve service delivery through digital transformation.

The initiative allows members of the public to access services efficiently and conveniently, without the need to travel to the Nairobi office.

Officials say the platform will particularly benefit those in remote areas, enabling them to obtain services in real time and at reduced cost.

The services available on the platform include the administration of estates of deceased persons, the management of trusts for minors or individuals living with mental disabilities, and the distribution of accident compensation dues forwarded by insurance providers.

“With this launch, we provide a seamless, efficient, and accessible platform for all persons seeking Public Trustee services,” the Office of the Attorney General said in a statement.

The digital system takes effect immediately. From April 8, 2026, all applications for service delivery to the Public Trustee Nairobi Office must be made exclusively through the e-Citizen portal at https://publictrustee.ecitizen.go.ke.

Officials described the rollout as a major step in modernising government services and urged all stakeholders and members of the public to embrace the digital solution.

“This initiative marks a significant step in enhancing access to justice and improving service delivery,” the statement added.

The e-Citizen platform is designed to ensure that individuals can complete applications online without visiting offices physically.

The system aims to reduce bureaucratic delays and make it easier for Kenyans to manage estates, trusts, and insurance-related matters efficiently.

For further enquiries, the Office of the Attorney General has provided contact details for the Public Trustee, located on the ground floor of Sheria House, Nairobi. The office can be reached via telephone at 020-2227461, 0140828911, or 0140828913, and through email at communications@ag.go.keor pt@ag.go.ke.

This digital access initiative reflects Kenya’s ongoing efforts to leverage technology to improve public service delivery and broaden accessibility.

IEBC explains missing details on voter register

The commission says details of polling station ‘error’ and lack of streams details, is due to ongoing voter registration.

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The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has explained the missing information in verification of voters’ details showing “Not Applicable (N/A).

According to the commission, the details of polling station ‘error,’ and lack of streams details, is due to ongoing voter registration but will soon reflect when the exercise ends.

“Why are your voter verification results showing your polling station and stream are “Not Applicable (N/A)“? This is because voter registration is going on,” the IEBC said in a public notice.

“Once voter registration concludes, the commission will split registration/polling centres into polling stations (streams) of up to a maximum of 700 voters. The Final Register will be published with your specific polling station and stream number.”

IEBC was responding to complaints among Kenyans on social media who have been expressing frustrations and fears after searching their registration data only to miss the key details.

The electoral agency sought to calm the fears asking the public not to worry as the register will be updated soon; “Usi-tense! Hapa Kazi tu!”

Just a week ago, the commission was in the eye of the storm after a controversial statement that voters who registered before 2012 and were not captured in the biometric register are required to register afresh in the ongoing voter registration exercise.

IEBC then explained that Kenyans who registered before 2012 do not need to re-register if they were enrolled in the biometric system introduced after the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the subsequent boundaries delimitation in 2012.

“Should those who registered before 2012 as voters need to register afresh? Not at all unless they did not register as voters from 2012 when the new Register of Voters was established,” the commission said in its clarification.

The electoral body emphasised that the biometric register of voters has been in use since 2013 and remains the official register for elections in Kenya.

As of the 2022 general elections, the commission maintained an audited register comprising 22,120,458 voters, demonstrating the continued reliance on the biometric system.

“So we have not asked all old voters pre-2012 to register a fresh. Just those few who might have missed registering in 2012 and who, subsequently, have never registered under the Biometric system to date,” the commission said.

As of March 23, Nairobi led with 49,055 new registrations, followed by Kiambu county with 20,404, together accounting for 27 per cent of new voters recorded.

As of April 2, IEBC confirmed it had registered 344,316 new voters in the Enhanced Mass Voter Registarion, aiming to reach 2.5 million by 2027.

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