President William Ruto has led other notable leaders in heaping praises on Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung’wah during his father’s funeral.
Speaking during the burial of Ichungw’ah’s dad, Mzee Isaac Ngugi, on Monday, September 15, 2025, Ruto praised him, saying Ichung’wah is a great leader and a man who keeps his word.
“I want to thank the parents of Ichung’wah, through them, I have gotten this man Kimani, who is more than a friend, I have gotten a brother,” the President said.
“I stand here in this hallowed and honoured ground to say in Kimani Ichung’wah, we have a great leader, without any fear of contradiction. This man, Kimani Ichung’wah, I call him Anthony, he has taken many bullets on my behalf, he has carried many burdens on my behalf that even my brothers would not. I want to take this chance to thank you. The same way you have stood with me, I will stand by you.”
Ruto said that Ichung’wah is not only a leader in Kiambu but also across the country, adding that it is how leadership should be.
“You must stand up to be counted for something. He is a friend indeed, and he gives us lessons, and we are confident that this is coming from Mzee here, who we are sending to his place of rest.”
The President praised Mzee Ichung’wah, saying he believed in his ability, did not give up and pushed himself to bring up a well-respected family.
“Let us believe in ourselves the same way as Mzee Ichung’wah, who pushed the bounds and the limits. Today, we celebrate a great man,” he added.
Senator Aaron Cheruiyot also lauded Ichungw’ah for being an honest and upfront leader.
“They say mzee used to speak his mind. For those who know Ichungw’ah, he says things as they are; there are no grey areas for him. He says black is black and white is white. This has often landed him in trouble. For him, if he likes something, he says it, and if he doesn’t, he also says it,” Cheruiyot stated.
Embu Governor Cecil Mbarire also lauded the Kikuyu MP for his nationalistic approach to issues, stressing that he was a case of the apple that never falls far from the tree.
His sentiments were also echoed by Junet Mohammed from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), who revealed how Ichungwah took the initiative to extend an olive branch to the ODM official after the pact of broad-based agreement.
Junet also lauded his parliamentary leadership in the parliament, stressing that Ichungw’ah has been a sober mind in a politically divided house.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Speaker Moses Wetang’ula also heaped praise on the Kikuyu MP for taking the best qualities from his late dad.
Mzee Ichung’wah died on September 5, 2025, at the age of 105 years.
