Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has paid tribute to former Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno, laying a wreath at his grave during a visit to the constituency to condole with his family.
Gachagua arrived in Emurua Dikirr on Friday mid-morning accompanied by his political allies, including Nyandarua Senator John Methu and Ol Kalou MP Sammy Douglas Waweru.
The leaders visited the family and were received by several of Ng’eno’s relatives.
He proceeded to the open gravesite, where he laid a wreath and observed a moment of silence in honour of the former legislator.
The wreath appeared to contain red, white and yellow flowers.
Gachagua then took off his round hat and stood quietly before the gravesite before bending forward in a gesture of respect.
Members of Ng’eno’s family joined him at the grave, with a visibly distraught Mama Mary Temas, the mother of the deceased, among those who laid flowers.
Mama Mary lays a wreath at her son Johanna Ng'eno's gravesite/FBMethu also laid flowers before other legislators and colleagues who had worked with Ng’eno took turns paying their respects.
The sombre ceremony followed Ng’eno’s death in a helicopter crash.
During the visit, the family also raised concerns about the condition of Ng’eno’s gravesite, which remained exposed to the elements.
Mama Mary appealed to Gachagua to assist the family in putting up a structure over the grave to protect it from rain.
Standing next to Gachagua after laying flowers, she told him that the family had previously approached other people for assistance.
“We want this place to be built so that rain doesn’t fall over the grave. I had asked some people earlier, but they were not able to, so we are seeking your assistance to build it,” Mama Mary Temas told Gachagua in local dialect.
She appealed to the ex-DP to help have the gravesite built and protected from the weather.
The grave was surrounded by a simple structure made from wooden-framed sticks, leaving the burial site largely exposed.
Gachagua acknowledged the family's request and said he had heard their plea, promising that they would follow up on the matter.
"I will help in the construction of a Mouselium in remembrance of my friend Johanna Ng'eno. I have instructed that the designers to develop a design that Mama will be comfortable with. Work should commence immediately," Gachagua said.
Ng’eno was elected Emurua Dikirr MP and served in Parliament before his death in Ferbruary this year.
His death drew tributes from political leaders across the country, with colleagues remembering him for his contribution to public affairs and his engagement with constituents.
Ex-DP Rigathi Gachagua condoles with the family of late Johanna Ng'eno/FB
