A requiem mass for the late MP David Kiaraho in Nyeri County on Wednesday, April 8, transformed into a politically charged event when Nyandarua Senator John Methu delivered a sharp rebuke to President William Ruto, eliciting enthusiastic cheers from the mourners.
The ceremony took place in a large open field under overcast skies and began on a sombre note, with hymns and prayers interspersing tributes to the late legislator.
Rows of white tents stretched across the venue, sheltering hundreds of mourners, among them senior political figures, clergy and local leaders.
But beneath the solemnity lay a current of political tension.
Attention was drawn earlier when former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua arrived and took a prominent front-row seat.
His presence, observers noted, signalled underlying divisions within the region’s political leadership, setting the stage for what would follow.
When Senator Methu rose to speak, the crowd grew noticeably attentive. At first, his tone was measured, paying tribute to the late MP and acknowledging the gravity of the occasion. However, his speech soon shifted.
Senator Methu: Mheshimiwa Rais Ruto mimi nataka kukuambia ya kwamba ninakuheshimu sana lakini sikuogopi. #PDUpdates pic.twitter.com/SrLqCotmCO
— PEOPLE DAILY (@PeopleDailyKe) April 8, 2026
Switching into Swahili, he addressed the presidency directly: “Nakuheshimu lakini sikuogopi”—“I respect you, but I do not fear you.”
There was a brief pause, as if the weight of the statement needed a moment to settle. Then sections of the crowd broke into applause, with some attendees standing and raising their hands in approval.
Others remained seated, watching intently.
Videos shared widely on social media platforms, including X, Facebook and TikTok, show the crowd reacting in waves—cheers rising and falling as the senator continued speaking.
His remarks, delivered calmly but firmly, appeared to resonate with a section of the audience.
Drama as Nyandarua Senator John Methu is kicked off the podium for attacking President Ruto and MP Ichung’wa pic.twitter.com/aHhGt4rZxQ
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) April 8, 2026
Throughout the address, security officers maintained a visible presence, while organisers attempted to preserve order as murmurs and reactions rippled through the gathering.
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The event, though primarily a moment of mourning, reflected the shifting political mood in parts of the Mt Kenya region, where public expressions of dissent have become increasingly visible, particularly in response to recent government policies and local grievances.
Speakers who followed, including former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, largely returned to themes of unity and remembrance, though the earlier remarks lingered over the proceedings.
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