Keep off Governor Nderitu Gachagua's health, says kin

The family of Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua has asked the public and the media to stop prying into the governor’s health condition.

Mr Gachagua, who has not been seen in public for the past four months, has been out of the country for what County Secretary Alice Wachira said was ‘a medical review’.

Rigathi Gachagua, the governor’s brother, said the media and the public should leave the family alone as the governor’s health was a private matter.

“We will not give any information or confirmation of the governor’s health because his life and medical condition are a private matter,” he said. Rigathi insisted the governor should be left alone and there was no need to keep inquiring about his whereabouts.

“The county government is still running and all the development projects are on course. The governor’s presence or absence is no longer an issue for discussion or concern,” he said.

The family was reacting after Member of County Assembly Joseph King’ori made a general statement requesting the Executive to inform the county on the whereabouts of the governor.

“As a representative of Nyeri residents, I wish to express concern on the failure of the government to communicate in any way the status of the governor despite his absence from the public since the beginning of the year,” Mr Kingori said.

His statement requested information on when the governor was expected back in the county and whether he was admitted in hospital or was being treated as an outpatient.

“In 2013, Nyeri residents elected Nderitu Gachagua as their governor and the individual became the centre of authority, the corporate image of the county and the inspiration of the people of this county,” Kingori noted.

His statement noted there was great concern from the general public over the silence on the status of the governor.

“The whole of this year, Gachagua has not taken part in any public function through which he has always used to engage with resident of the county,” Kingori explained.

He said public interaction with the governor was the only opportunity to associate with the Executive with which they vested the governing authority.

Wamagana MCA Jesse Kamuri asked the Speaker David Mugo to rule on whether the assembly should have an opportunity to debate on the general statement.

“I will give my ruling on whether the general statement can be debated in the assembly on May 4,” Mugo said.