Governor Gachagua wanted to come back home before demise family

The Late Nyeri County Governor Nderitu Gachagua had requested to be flown back to his Hiriga Home in Nyeri County before his death after his health deteriorated, his family has revealed.

Gachagua ordered close family members to fly to his hospital bed in London to inform them of his wish.

His brother Rigathi Gachagua disclosed that the family had made arrangements to fly him home to fulfil his wish, only to be disappointed after the national carrier declined to fly him back saying he was too weak to travel.

“He prepared for his departure. The governor would have wanted to come and rest at home, in fact, it was his wish to come and rest here in the county,” said Rigathi.

The family also disclosed that Governor Gachagua’s body will arrive in the country on Thursday, March 3 at 5 a.m.

Discussions are ongoing between the family, county government and the national government on whether to accord the late governor Gachagua a state burial.

Family spokesperson, Rigathi Gachagua, said a number of governors are planning to travel to London to accompany the body back to the country.

The government through the ministry of Foreign Affairs is handling the logistics of repatriating the body and the burial.

“We are getting a lot of support from the ministry of Foreign Affairs, CS Amina has been in touch with us, PS Ambassador Monica Juma is also in touch with us,” said the deceased’s brother.

Meanwhile, Nyeri County Deputy Governor Ambassador Samuel Wamathai is set to be sworn in as governor of Nyeri County to see off the remainder of the term.

The new governor will, however, choose his County Executive Committee (CEC) members as the service of those in Gachagua’s administration expired with his demise.

The family has expressed satisfaction with Wamathai’s swearing in saying that he was a strong pillar in Gachagua’s government.