The wreckage of Nyeri Governor Wahome Gakura's Mercedes-Benz at the scene of the accident, November 7, 2017. [Photo|Ndungu Nyoro]
Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu has joined Kenyans across the country to mourn the death of her Nyeri counterpart Dr. Wahome Gakuru who died on Tuesday morning following a tragic road accident.
Ngilu termed Gakuru’s death as unfortunate, untimely and anguishing to Kenyans and most notably to Nyeri residents, according to a condolence message emailed to journalists.
“The ugly hand of death has for the second time robbed the people of Nyeri County another of their distinguished son and a leader,” she said.
Dr. Gakuru’s is Nyeri’s second incumbent county boss to pass on after his predecessor Nderitu Gachagua died at a London hospital in February this year following lengthy battle with cancer.
“Death has again taken away a gallant economist and a Kenyan hero whose ambitions to Kenya’s political, economic and social welfare cannot be replaced.
“On my own behalf, my family, the County Government and the people of Kitui County, I condole with the family, friends, relatives and the people of Nyeri during this difficult time,” read part the message.
The accident, which also left Dr. Gakuru’s driver and bodyguard nursing serious injuries, occurred early Tuesday morning at Kabati, along Thika - Murang'a road.
The fallen governor was reportedly heading to Nairobi for a talk show when the vehicle got a tire burst, lost control and got impaled by a guard rail by the roadside.
Gakuru succumbed to injuries amid plans by the Council of Governors (CoG) to airlift him from Thika Level 5 Hospital to Nairobi Hospital.