Editor's Review

Thuku stayed-clear-off allegations of heckling and jeering, saying those were baseless allegations

On Friday, April 29, allegations of planned jeering and heckling of a section of leaders during late President Mwai Kibaki's funeral service in Othaya Nyeri county emerged.

The allegations claimed that a number of Ruto allied leaders from Nyeri county led by Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua and Nyeri Governor had mobilized a number of goons to attend the burial and heckle a section of leaders while cheering others when they stand to eulogize the former head of state.

However, one of Deputy President William Ruto's close legislators from Nyeri county has come out to rubbish the reports.

Taking to his Facebook page, vocal Chinga Ward MCA Kiruga Thuku hit out at Jubilee allied bloggers, whom he said were behind the allegations.

Thuku, who was recently clinched a UDA ticket to defend his seat, said they had indeed requested Nyeri residents and Othaya people to come out in large numbers and accord their leader a befitting send-off.

{Chinga Ward MCA Kiruga Thuku with Ruto when he visited Nyeri in the past. Photo: Courtesy}

He, however, stayed-clear-off allegations of heckling and jeering, saying those were baseless allegations

"Jubilee bloggers are such an embarrassment to themselves and those they purport to support politically....To cut a long story short, yes we have requested all Nyerians and especially the people of Othaya to come out in large numbers to give a befitting send off to our hero H.E Mwai Kibaki the long-serving Othaya MP as well as the 3rd President of Kenya!!!" read part of his statement.

He said the two leaders who were accused of mobilizing goons (MP Rigathi Gachagua and Governor Mutahi Kihiga) are sons of Nyeri and have all the rights to request Nyeri people to attend Kibaki's burial in numbers.

He added that it is neither a crime for Ruto to be cheered in Nyeri during the function.


"Governor Mutahi Kahiga and Mathira MP Hon Rigathi Gachagua are great sons of Nyeri and have every right to request the people of Nyeri to come out in large numbers to give a befitting farewell to their Son..... If DP William Samoei Ruto is cheered during the function, so be it; is it a crime???" he posed.

Kibaki's body is expected to leave Lee Funeral Home at exactly 7 am in the morning and arrive in Nyeri at 10 am.

It will pass through Thika Town, Kenol, Sagana, Karatina, Nyeri town before docking at Othaya Approved School for the final service.