A somber mood swept through the usually quiet village of Waguthu in Kiambaa, Kiambu County, as hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their final respects to Richard Gichini Mbugua. The funeral drew people from all walks of life, including high-ranking Jubilee Party members from across the country.
The deceased was the husband of Mrs. Margaret Njeri Gichini, a staunch Jubilee supporter whose deep-rooted party connections drew an array of political heavyweights to the village.
The funeral was attended by a long list of prominent Jubilee leaders and aspirants, including: Dr. Fred Matiang’i – Jubilee Deputy Party Leader and presidential hopeful Jeremiah Kioni – Jubilee Organizing Secretary, Anne Nyokabi Gathecha – Former Kiambu Women Representative, Joyce Ngugi – Kiambu Jubilee Women Representative and former Deputy Governor
While delivering his eulogy, Dr. Fred Matiang’i praised the family’s resilience, particularly emphasizing the dedication of the widow, Mrs. Margaret Njeri. He noted her ability to seamlessly balance her loyalty to the party with caring for her late husband during his prolonged illness.
“As a party, we want to thank Mrs. Margaret for her patience and unwavering loyalty to Jubilee, as well as her dedication to her husband. This is truly exceptional, and we promise the family that our party will stand by them,” said Dr. Matiang’i.
Former Kiambu Women Representative Anne Nyokabi Gathecha, who is also a close family friend, shared a touching chronology of her time with the family. She recounted how she and Mrs. Gichini pooled their efforts to care for the deceased as his health deteriorated.
“I want to thank Mrs. Gichini for the outpouring of love she showed her late husband. It is by God’s will that we accept the passing of our dear dad,” Hon. Nyokabi stated.
In a tribute read on her behalf by Lawyer Beth Fundi—the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Kiambu Chapter Chairperson—Mrs. Gichini described her late husband as a devoted and caring man.
“You were always a pillar to our family. Despite life’s ups and downs, you provided for us without fail, and I will dearly miss you, my loving husband,” expressed Mrs. Gichini.
Before transitioning into private business as a farmer, Mr. Richard Gichini Mbugua had a successful career in the corporate sector, having previously worked for Standard Chartered Bank before his retirement.
