Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has announced the death of elder sister Leah Wangari Muriuki.

The DP took to X to share the news of his sister's demise, describing her as a 'caring mother and family matriarch.'

He emphasized that the late Wangari had taken on the role of a father by taking after the whole Gachagua family following the loss of their original parents.

PHOTO | COURTESY  Leah Wangari Muriuki

“I am saddened to receive news of the passing on of our eldest sister Leah Wangari Muriuki. Leah has been our Mother and the family Matriarch; she has taken good care of the larger Gachagua Family after the death of our father and our two mothers,” he stated.

“We are devastated by the loss of this family head. My deepest condolences to her husband, her children and grandchildren. This is a very difficult week for me as a national leader and a family man. May the Lord heal our Nation and families,” Gachagua added.

Wangari's death comes just two years after the loss of Gachagua's sole surviving brother, Jack Reriani.

PHOTO | COURTESY Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua

Reriani died on September 24, 2022, from heavy drinking while celebrating Kenya Kwanza's win in the 2022 elections.

“My elder brother Jackson Reriani was an alcoholic. I tried to talk to him to stop alcohol abuse and even take him to hospital but he would relapse and go back to alcohol. After we won the 2022 elections, he took alcohol to celebrate the victory. He died,” said Gachagua on March 18.

In February 2017, Gachagua lost his brother, Nderitu Gachagua, the first governor of Nyeri County.