By Prudence Minayo
Patrick Wahome Gakuru (Born on 29th July 1966) was a Kenyan politician allied to the Jubilee party. He was elected the third governor of Nyeri county having succeed Wamathai Samuel Gathaiga who took over the office following the death of Nderitu Gachagua. He passed way in November 2017 at Thika Level 5 hospital after a deadly road accident.
Here is his story as told by WoK.
Education
The late governor was an alumni of the University of Nairobi where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) degree and an MBA in Marketing. He also received a Master of Business Administration from Willamette University and a PHD from Arizona State University, both in the USA.
Death Inquest
Following untimely death, All Africa reported that Mutahi Kahiga (current Nyeri governor) and Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira MP) were among four people summoned by the courts to give information into the death Inquest of the county boss. During Wahome’s requiem mass, held at Dedan Kimathi University, the current Nyeri governor said he had warned Wahome against using his Mercedes Benz due to mechanical issues.
“Up to today I keep asking everybody who bothers to listen, how did Wahome Gakuru find himself outside Nyeri when we agreed with him that the vehicle was faulty? And he had told me three to four times, my brother hii gari ndio itaniua (this car will kill me one day).” All Africa quoted Mutahi Kahiga.
Apparently, before his death, the newly elected governor had started an investigation concerning funds misappropriation in the county during Nderitu Gachagua’s reign. Nderitu was the brother to Rigathi Gachagua. Prosecutor Martha Ndung’u said the late governor had commissioned an audit to investigate public funds that were lost. The magistrate also issued warrants of arrests against four police officers who were part of the response team. They failed to appear before the court although summons had been issued.
Wahome’s diver, Samson Kinyanjui told the court later that the governor died due to excessive bleeding. He said there was poor response by the emergency team forcing him and the public to assist in pulling the late governor out of the car.
In March 2022, the Inquest failed to proceed after temporary orders halting the sessions was issued by the high court.
Family
The governor sons were Wangai, Mugambi Mwenda and Maina Kimathi.
Mugambi Mwenda, his son, had just started KCSE a day before his father’s death. Despite the loss, the Alliance High School alumni scored B+ in the national examination. As his father was being laid to rest on 18th November, he still had three exams to tackle. He sang a touching worship in memory of his father during the burial ceremony
Catherine, his wife, met Patrick Wahome Gakuru at the University of Nairobi, Kabete Campus. The two had been married for 21 years before his sudden death. Wahome was also said to have a second wife named Kui and a son. Recently, other family members came out and told the media they were tired of being silent. His sister told how the death of their brother left his parents and siblings in despair.
She said the family had spent money on Gakuru’s campaign and have now been left destitute. They are also still footing the bill for the inquest which is still at the Nyeri courts. She also expressed how saddened they were when Gachagua and Kahiga won a case to prevent them from appearing as witnesses before the inquest. The politicians who made promises to finish his village mansion and provide jobs for the family during the governor’s burial failed to honor their word.
Wangui said the family’s silence to date has been attributed to fear of the people responsible for their brother’s death.
“We have never known peace and we shall only settle when the matter will reach to its logical conclusion and the criminals who were after our brother’s life are charged, prosecuted and jailed,” she said.
