Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho
Ol Kalou residents are grappling with a final “shocker” from their late MP David Njuguna Kiaraho, whose decision to be buried outside his constituency has left many feeling unsettled.
To many, the MP’s final surprise underscores the complex, sometimes contradictory legacy of a lawmaker who remained as unpredictable in death as in life.
True to the enigmatic and unpredictable nature that marked his political career, Kiaraho’s final wish has stirred mixed emotions across the community he represented since 2013.
The burial site at his Tigoni home in Limuru, Kiambu County, was confirmed Monday evening by the funeral organising committee chaired by Kinangop MP Kwenya Thuku and assisted by Nyandarua Women Representative Faith Gitau.
Preparations in Ol Kalou are already underway.
“The family of the late Ol Kalou lawmaker, in consultation with the funeral planning committee, has declared Friday, April 10, 2026, as the burial date. A funeral service will be held at St Andrew’s Church, Nairobi, followed by interment at his Tigoni farm in Limuru, in accordance with his last wishes,” MP Thuku said in a statement on behalf of the family and committee.
Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho
On April 6, a vigil will be held at Kiaraho’s Munyeki village home, followed by a memorial service at Ol Kalou Stadium on April 7.
The family will spend Easter weekend at their Ol Kalou home before the final burial in Kiambu. Funeral committees have been meeting at the Ol Kalou CDF offices, but will relocate to the MP’s home later in the week.
Reactions from residents on the MP’s preferred burial site have been swift and emotional.
“This is an MP who served Ol Kalou but he never wanted to be buried here. Many of us over 60 weren’t born in Nyandarua, yet we served the county faithfully. It’s sad Kiaraho’s heart remained in Tigoni,” lamented Isaac Ngugi, a local elder.
Businessman John Githinji added, “We knew Kiaraho was full of surprises, but this was beyond expectation. During campaigns, opponents called him a stranger. Clearly, his heart belonged to Limuru.” Another resident, Mwangi Samuel, argued that the decision highlights the need for homegrown leadership, saying, “Only someone from home can truly transform home. Nyandarua continues to lag in infrastructure despite having vibrant leaders.”
But Nominated Nyandarua MCA Stephen Mureithi, a confidant of the late MP, urged the community to respect the burial wishes.
“A visionary, architectural approach to public service defined Hon Kiaraho’s tenure. His performance was consistently validated by high NG-CDF absorption rates and national recognition,” he said.
The late Kiaraho’s political career was defined by unpredictability. In the 2017 elections, he staged a last-minute comeback to win his seat after appearing to concede to his closet challenger Kanuri Wambugu.
In 2022, he kept supporters guessing about his party affiliation until announcing at the eleventh hour that he would defend his seat on a Jubilee ticket.
Even during the impeachment proceedings against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, he avoided the House on voting day before siding with UDA at the last moment.
Political strategist John Kariuki described Kiaraho’s strength as lying in his “Kiaraho Mashinani” team and a core group known as the “Pentagon.”
“His greatest weakness was trying to please everyone but when he took a stance, his political machinery was unstoppable. Many think money made him, but the truth is he controlled the money, not the other way around,” Kariuki said.
