Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has confirmed meeting the Kiambu nominated MCA Ezra Kabuga Kihara who died in a road accident on Thika Road in Juja on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
In a statement, the second in command disclosed that the deceased visited him at his Karen official residence on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
According to Gachagua, the late Ezra Kihara was accompanied by his colleagues from the Kiambu County Assembly.
The meetings between Gachagua, the nominated MCA and other Kiambu lawmakers centred around efforts to curb illicit brew in the region.
“It was only yesterday that I had fruitful discussions with him, during a meeting with fellow County MCAs when they called on me for an update on the progress of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, 2024,” Gachagua stated.
During the meeting, Gachagua lauded the MCAs for supporting the push to tackle alcoholism in the region.
“Upon enactment, the law will provide a legal foundation and pillar in a successful war against illicit brews in Kiambu County as we work towards sobering our Nation for development,” Gachagua wrote on his social media account after meeting the deceased and other Kiambu MCAs.
However following the tragic accident, Gachagua described the late as a servant leader who devoted his time to the betterment of Kiambu County. Besides his contribution to Kiambu development, Gachagua eulogised Kihara as an architect of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
“He has also been an architect and a pillar of the UDA Party, serving with utmost distinction. We have lost a visionary leader, through a road accident,” Gachagua’s eulogy note read in part.
“May God grant the family, friends and relatives of Hon. Kihara, the Kiambu County Assembly and Government and the people, the strength as they come to terms with this tragic loss,” it added.
The accident
Kihara was travelling from Nairobi to Thika town when the accident occurred. Confirming the incident, Juja OCPD Michael Mwaura said that Kihara’s car collided with a lorry near Mang’u High School.
The car rammed the rear of an Isuzu FRR lorry, causing the vehicle to catch fire on impact.
Following the accident, other leaders have sent their condolence messages led by President William Ruto who described him as a loyal leader.
“We are saddened by the loss of Ezra Kihara, Nominated MCA at the Kiambu County Assembly. He was a dedicated and loyal member of UDA. His skills in party politics were exemplary, and he played a crucial role as the Kiambu County returning officer during the party primaries in 2022,” Ruto mourned the MCA.
“As a result of his outstanding leadership capabilities, he was nominated as an MCA and his contribution will be dearly missed. Recently, he was picked as a member of the UDA National Elections Board technical team for grassroots elections.”