Nderitu Gachagua, the abrasive contractor and billionaire who became Nyeri?s first governor – and whose term in office was marked by an abortive impeachment, fistfights between his supporters and opponents and ill-health – succumbed to pancreatic cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, yesterday. He was 64.
As the first county chief to die in office, Mr Gachagua?s legacy as governor was perhaps untested as he spent the last four years in and out of hospitals.
His younger brother, Rigathi Gachagua, a former Kiambaa District Officer-turned politician, told the press that the governor died at 2.15am with close family members at his bedside. ?He has left us after a long struggle with pancreatic cancer. It is very sad for the family but we have accepted God?s will,? he said.
