By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
The family of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been plunged into mourning.
This follows the death of DP’s elder sister Leah Wangari.
Gachagua confirmed his sister’s death in a post he shared on his verified X handle on Thursday, June 27, 2024.
While sharing the sad news, the second in command described the late Leah as his family’s matriarch.
He said she took care of the larger Gachagua family. In addition, Gachagua noted that the sister’s death has worsened the already difficult situation for him.
“I am saddened to receive news of the passing on of our eldest sister Leah Wangari Muriuki. Leah has been our Mother and the family Matriarch; she has taken good care of the larger Gachagua Family after the death of our father and our two mothers,” the DP said.
“We are devastated by the loss of this family head. My deepest condolences to her husband, her children and grandchildren. This is a very difficult week for me as a national leader and a family man. May the Lord heal our Nation and families,” he added.
Details of what caused the death remain unclear.
DP Gachagua is the eighth born among the nine siblings in his family. His parents were Mau Mau freedom fighters in Mt. Kenya forest.
Kenyans on social media flooded Gachagua’s comments section to share their messages of condolences.
Here are some of the messages compiled by Nairobi News;
Dr Kirwa: Pole our able deputy, take heart bro
Gibson Weldoh: My condolences. May her soul rest in eternal peace.
Festo: We are sorry our beloved DP
Sam Kahuro: May the Man of sorrow familiar with our sufferings and pain of human beings, Christ Jesus the Messiah comfort you and your family during this time of mourning your eldest Sister. It is well with the LORD GOD our blessed DP.