Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is mourning the death of his only surviving maternal aunt, Gladys Gathoni Kahua.
In an emotional post on Saturday, June 28, Gachagua described it as his lowest day, after losing an aunt who stepped up for him after his mother passed on in 2019.
In the long post, Gachagua detailed that he received a distressing call at 3:00 am informing him that his aunt had fallen critically ill. He immediately advised that she be rushed to Jamii Hospital in Karatina, with plans to visit her later in the day.
Initially, the doctors told him that his aunt was stable. He confidently left for Karatina at 2 pm, but due to a traffic jam near Ruiru, he was delayed by nearly 30 minutes.
The delay, he says, saw him arrive late, only to be told his aunt died at 4:05 pm, 5 minutes before his arrival.
“I was five minutes late. I have no one to turn to in this grief and pain. I have lost a mentor and a counselor,” Gachagua narrated in the post.
According to Gachagua, the aunt was more than a family member to him. She was his mother figure, prayer warrior, and cheerleader since the death of his mother.
The former DP fondly remembered childhood visits to her farm, where she grew yellow passion fruits that earned her the nickname “Tata wa Matunda” (the fruits’ aunt). According to Gachagua, their mornings were filled with porridge, boiled maize, and laughter over Mau Mau folktales and stories about the Mau Mau struggles in the forest.
The DCP Party leader detailed that his aunt and his late mother had been part of the Mau Mau cause. His aunt also taught him the Meru language and always reminded him of his Ameru roots.
Gachagua extended his condolences to his aunts' children, the village she hailed from, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends.
He has vowed to accord his aunt a befitting send-off, honouring her as a heroine who played a pivotal role in his life and leadership journey.
His heartfelt message has drawn an outpouring of sympathy and support as Kenyans flooded the post's comment section to condole with the DCP party leader.
