Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua on Wednesday February 5, 2025 addressed mourners via a phone call during the requiem mass for slain Activist Richard Otieno alias Molo president.
Several leaders addressed the mourners who had gathered for the requiem mass on Wednesday at St Peter’s Catholic church in Elburgon, Nakuru County.
Addressing the mourners via phone, Gachagua directly sent his condolences to the family as he strongly condemned the brutal killing of Richard.
“Am sending my condolences to the family and mourners gathered at St Peter’s church. Richard was a brave man, a good man who always helped people,” said Gachagua.
“We strongly condemn the brutal killing of Richard and we are praying for justice to prevail, we want those who killed Richard to be brought to Book,” he added.
At the same time, former president Uhuru Kenyatta through a representative expressed his condolences to the bereaved family, as he called for Richard’s killing to be investigated.
The former president also sent his contribution of Ksh500,000 to the family, categorically stating that the funds should help Richard’s widow and the children left behind.
Other leaders present including MCA’s, former Nakuru county assembly speaker and political aspirants strongly condemned the brutal killing of Richard, saying the political intolerance among politicians should be dealt with as they also noted that investigative bodies have full responsibility to investigate the matter.
“We are saying that we will not allow these killings in our region, political intolerance is something we will not condone, we want this matter investigated, we want justice for Richard, if anyone even in the political class is found guilty in Richard’s death they should be held accountable,” the leaders reiterated.
Human rights defenders who had turned up in large numbers expressed their unwavering determination in seeking justice for one of their own, saying they will not back down and will fight to the end until justice prevails.
“Even as we attend Richard’s mass, we want to state that we will fight to the end and see justice has prevailed, we will not be shaken or silenced,” said one of the Activists.
However, conspicuously missing during the requiem mass is the Molo member of Parliament Kuria Kimani, who has so far not shown up in any meeting held in honour of Richard.
Richard Otieno was brutally murdered on 18th January 2025 in Elburgon just 200 metres from the Elburgon police station.
