President William Ruto on Monday paid glowing tribute to both Kikuyu MP and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, and his late father, Isaac Ichung’wah Ngugi, in a funeral that blended grief, politics, and enduring loyalty.
Speaking at the burial ceremony in Gikambura, Kiambu County, Ruto departed from his usual political tone to deliver a deeply personal message, describing Ichung’wah as his political shield and closest confidant.
“I have got a friend who is more than a friend today. I have a brother called Kimani. And I want to stand here on this hallowed and honored ground to say that in Kimani, we have a great leader,” Ruto declared, drawing applause from mourners.
He went further, acknowledging Ichung’wah’s loyalty in moments of adversity:
“He has taken many bullets on my behalf. He has carried huge burdens on my behalf, burdens that even my own brothers could not. And the same way you have stood with me, my brother, I want to say this in front of your family, I will stand with you.”
Tribute to a Centenarian Hero
Turning his attention to the late Isaac Ngugi, who passed away at the remarkable age of 105, the President described him as a hero of faith, resilience, and service.
“We celebrate the life of Isaac Ngugi, the father of my friend and Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah. Mzee Ngugi’s journey is a true inspiration. He showed us that with faith in oneself, hard work, and perseverance, anything is possible,” Ruto said.
He went on:
“From humble beginnings, he rose to become a pillar of the community and a source of strength to many. He was not only a shrewd businessman but also a caring and generous man who touched many lives. His legacy lives on. I join the people of Gikambura in Kiambu County to celebrate the life of our hero. Rest In Peace, Mzee Ngugi.”
A Son’s Pain and Pride
Ichung’wah, visibly emotional, described his father as a man who lived with humility and gave without hesitation. “We celebrate his life, even as we bear the sorrow and pain of losing him. But we also immortalize the pleasant memories of a remarkable gentleman… a gentleman we would have loved to live forever,” he said.
Politics in the Shadows
Analysts noted that Ruto’s choice of words was telling. In an administration where rivalries simmer, Ruto’s open declaration of brotherhood with Ichung’wah was more than just a eulogy—it was a public anointing. By placing Ichung’wah in the rare circle of “family,” the President cemented the Kikuyu legislator’s role as the political lynchpin for the Mount Kenya region and as his loyal lieutenant in Parliament.
As the mourners filed away from Gikambura, two legacies lingered: the life of Mzee Ngugi, celebrated as a centenarian hero, and the political brotherhood between William Ruto and Kimani Ichung’wah—one that has now been publicly sealed on sacred ground.
Leave a Reply