Feb, 15th 2021 – The burial service for the former late Cabinet Secretary Simeon Nyachae is currently ongoing at the Gusii Stadium in Kisii County. His family, friends, acquaintances, a number of political leaders, and government officials are in attendance to bid their last respects.
According to the family spokesperson Charles Nyachae, the change of venue to Gusii stadium was due to limited space at Nyanturago. This is also following the revelation that President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy President William Ruto would attend. ODM leader Raila Odinga is also among those in attendance for the burial service.
Kenneth Nyachae, Simeon Nyachae’s eldest son looks back into his upbringing with the deceased politician, describing him as a strict but loving man, who was always present. He remembers saying, “We would spend good time with dad whenever he came to Nairobi for board meetings.”
Arrests before burial
Meanwhile, police in Kisii have arrested Deputy Governor Joash Mangi. Mangi was arrested at Kisii High school as he awaited to welcome Deputy President William Ruto who is expected to attend the burial of Simeon Nyachae.
An aide close to Mangi says that detectives ordered the Deputy governor to enter the vehicle before they left for the CID offices in Kisii town where they are currently grilling him.
The aide said, “We don’t know why they arrested him. They did not give a reason why they were picking him for, they only told him to enter their car before they left to Central Police Station where they are interrogating him.”
According to reports, he had gone to receive Deputy President William Ruto when he was nabbed.
Apart from Mangi, the police also arrested South Mugirango MP, Sylvanus Osoro who is also allied to Ruto. He was allegedly lured out of the tent by detectives in civilian cloths as the funeral service for Simeon Nyachae was underway.
Kisii County Police Commander Jebel Munene could not be reached for comments. The police have also not given the reason for the arrests.
The arrest of the governor comes a day after ODM branch executive Samuel Omando was arrested at his house in Nyanchwa. Mangi had condemned the arrest of the former ODM operative who is currently allied to Deputy President William Ruto. Similar to Mangi’s case, the reason for Omando’s arrest is still not known.
Not confirming nor denying Omando’s arrest, Munene said, “This is a presidential function. Nobody will be allowed to cause chaos.”