PHOTOS: Rigathi Gachagua defiantly occupies front-row seat during MP David Kiaraho's requeim

The requiem mass for the late Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho on Wednesday was marked by intense political signalling, highlighted by unconventional seating arrangements and notable speaking omissions.

The event, held at Ol Kalou Stadium, drew thousands of mourners and a high-powered delegation of leaders.

However, it was the optics on the main dais that continued to make the news.

In an open show of defiance, DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua abandoned a seat designated for him, instead choosing a front-row seat amidst top national leaders.

He was spotted next to his close ally, Laikipia Senator John Methu and Tourism CS Rebecca Miano on his left. 

Occasionally, Gachagua and Methu exchanged a word, perhaps reading the mood of the event. 

Gachagua was noticeably absent from the official list of speakers, according to an official funeral programme seen by TNX Africa. 

The programme listed a series of tributes from family, friends, and parliamentary colleagues, followed by a specific hierarchy of political speeches.

This list includes the Minority and Majority Leaders of both the Senate and the National Assembly, the Governor, the Prime Cabinet Secretary, and the Speakers of both Houses, culminating in addresses by the Deputy President and finally H.E. the President of the Republic of Kenya

The physical distance between the President’s wing and the former DP’s seating area further painted a picture of the widening rift within the Kenya Kwanza administration’s original formation, one that has since been shattered after Gachagua's controversial impeachment.

For many Kenyans on social media, the seating arrangement was a show of political semiotics.

The tension was palpable throughout the service, as the late Kiaraho, a three-term legislator known for his architectural precision and dedication, was laid to rest amidst a backdrop of shifting political alliances.

Beyond the political drama, leaders paid glowing tribute to Hon. Kiaraho, who passed away on March 29, 2026, while undergoing treatment.

Photos: Courtesy, Facebook - Bonventure Media House