Mathira Member of Parliament, Rigathi Gachagua's speech during his elder brother, James Reriani Gachagua's funeral was briefly interrupted by an old friend who asked him to honour a promise he had made to him.
The friend, identified only as Muchangi, approached the MP as he was making his speech, asking him to give him the Ksh1,000 he had promised so that he would leave for other engagements.
The MP stated that the man was his friend for decades, adding that he just grew impatient after the speeches after the burial prolonged.
His security detail was at hand to block the man but asked them to let him be, further noting that he was privy to Muchangi's request.
Rigathi told the gathering he made an agreement with Muchangi over two decades ago, and he has to give him Ksh1,000 every time they meet.
Rigathi stated that the two had spoken earlier and Muchangi was aware the MP would be home for the funeral, hence the reason he waited for him.
He mentioned Muchangi had waited for him from 10am and since the funeral service had gone way past 4pm, he could not hold any more.
“This man is a very good friend of mine, and we have come a long way. I had made a promise to him, and I will keep that promise,” Rigathi stated as he handed him some money.
The man excitedly took the money and thanked the MP as he walked away.
The crowd cheered on the MP and his friend even as the Legislator spoke in his native Kikuyu language.
Rigathi was accompanied by Deputy President William Ruto, Amani National Congress (ANC) leader, Musalia Mudavadi, and a host of other leaders allied to Kenya Kwanza for his brother's funeral.
The battalion also took the chance to sell its bottom-up agenda as well as drum up support for Rigathi who was picked as Ruto's running mate in the August 9 polls.
Ruto took the time to ask the Nyeri electorate to vote for Kenya Kwanza, saying that it was the right formation to deliver the country's economic and development promise.
Rigathi, in his speech, assured the Deputy President and his Kenya Kwanza allies he will not betray him as his deputy if they clinch the top seat in the August polls.
