Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was the chief guest at the Ngemi Cia Watho 2.0 celebrations held at Thika Greens Golf Resort in Thika, Kiambu County, on November 7, 2026. The event brought together legal practitioners from the Mt Kenya region to celebrate their cultural heritage and professional achievements. Gachagua was seated alongside Nyandarua Senator John Methu and Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango during the gathering.
The event was interrupted when the venue's lights suddenly went out. Footage showed Gachagua addressing the audience from the podium before the blackout forced him to pause his remarks as attendees navigated the darkness. Some guests switched on mobile phone flashlights while organisers waited for electricity to be restored. The outage lasted roughly one minute before normal lighting returned.
After power was restored, Gachagua resumed his address, urging regional lawyers to contest elective positions to improve the quality of legislative leadership. He highlighted the growing interest among legal practitioners in politics, arguing that their training could strengthen parliamentary representation. This call to action was part of his speech at the Ngemi Cia Watho 2.0 event.
Gachagua also criticised the Mt Kenya electorate for electing lawmakers he said lacked adequate educational backgrounds. He linked this to perceived "elective shame" in the region. The former Deputy President's comments sparked discussion among attendees, including legal practitioners and politicians.
The event was attended by notable figures, including Linda Mwananchi Movement leader and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. The gathering provided a platform for legal practitioners to network and discuss issues relevant to their profession. Gachagua's presence added significance to the event, which aimed to promote the cultural heritage and achievements of the Mt Kenya region's legal community.
In his concluding remarks, Gachagua called on government agencies to accelerate investigations into the whereabouts of lawyer Abshir Abdi. This appeal was made in the context of his broader discussion on the importance of the legal community's involvement in politics and governance. The event concluded with attendees reflecting on Gachagua's address and its implications for the region.
The Ngemi Cia Watho 2.0 celebrations demonstrated the significance of community events in promoting professional achievements and cultural heritage. The incident of the power outage did not deter the proceedings, which resumed shortly after the lights were restored. Key points from the event include Gachagua's call for lawyers to enter politics and his criticism of the electoral choices in the Mt Kenya region.
Key points
- Gachagua urges lawyers to contest elective positions to improve legislative leadership.
- The event was attended by notable figures, including Senator Edwin Sifuna.
- Gachagua calls for investigations into the whereabouts of lawyer Abshir Abdi.
