Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has explained his recent two-week absence from public events and political statements, revealing that it was a deliberate decision to reflect and observe Kenya’s unfolding political climate.
Speaking on Saturday, November 1, 2025, during the funeral of six family members who died in a tragic road accident in Murang’a County, Gachagua said his silence was guided by a Kikuyu proverb that encourages patience and observation.
“A Kikuyu proverb says that even if you know how to sing, you may choose to watch others sing not because you cannot, but because you want to observe,” he stated.
Gachagua noted that he took time off to study political developments before speaking publicly, emphasizing that his quietness should not be mistaken for weakness or ignorance.
Addressing mourners, he urged the Kikuyu community to remain vigilant, warning that he had intelligence of potential harmful actions allegedly being planned by President William Ruto.
“Our community must beware. Any leader harming our children will not be accepted here. President William Ruto is planning very bad things for our community — things that are very harmful,” he warned.
Gachagua, who attended the funeral alongside his wife, Pastor Dorcas Gachagua, said his visit was both personal and symbolic. His wife hails from Murang’a, and he expressed deep sorrow over the loss of six people from the same family.
“Six people dying at once is a big tragedy. I came with my wife to mourn with these families on behalf of the Kikuyu community,” he added.
The tragic accident occurred on October 26, 2025, when a matatu carrying six family members plunged into the Kiama River at Wacengu Bridge in Gatanga Constituency. The victims were returning from a dowry ceremony in Kiambu County, while six others survived and were hospitalized.
