Digital duel as Gachagua, Ruto compete for livestream viewers during MP Kiaraho's requeim

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua commanded significant online attention during the requiem mass for the late Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho, despite being initially excluded from the list of speakers.

As of 1:19 PM, a livestream on the President’s official Facebook page had about 11,000 views, while Gachagua’s parallel broadcast drew roughly 21,000. The competing streams brought to the fore political interests and the increasingly competitive social media space ahead of the 2027 elections.

At the requeim, tensions briefly surfaced, with Assistant Director of Protocol and Events in the Executive Office of the President, Chipukeezy, seen clashing with Gachagua’s media team.

Further drama unfolded when members of the United Opposition were temporarily blocked from accessing the main dais. In a widely shared video, Nyandarua Senator John Methu and Embakasi Central MP Major Donk were initially denied entry before being allowed in.

A requiem programme seen by TNX Africa confirmed Gachagua was not listed among leaders scheduled to speak, in the context of ongoing friction with the current administration. During a recent church service, he had vowed to attend.

“Hauwezi kufukuza sisi kwa ofisi na ufukuze sisi nyumbani. We will be there. I will personally get there a day earlier so I can prepare adequately,” he said.

Once invited to speak, Gachagua struck a conciliatory tone towards President William Ruto but criticised some of his allies, including Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.

He urged restraint, emphasising the solemnity of the occasion.

“There will be no confrontation here. This is a solemn occasion, and we come in peace and I am sure, President, you have come in peace,” he said.

“He should be listened to and when he finishes, he should be allowed to go. I do not want to hear anything from you when the president starts to speak.”

“I do not want to hear ‘One Term’ here. That is something we will do out there. This is a respectful event.”

Kiaraho, who served as Ol Kalou MP since 2013, died on March 29, 2026, while undergoing treatment at Nairobi Hospital. He is remembered for his role in infrastructure development and constituency projects in Nyandarua County, and for serving on the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure and the Procedure and House Rules Committee.