President William Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua on Wednesday paid a heartfelt tribute to the founder of Jubilee Christian Church (JCC), Televangelist Bishop Allan Kiuna, who passed away last week after a long battle with cancer.
Gachagua, reading the President’s condolence message to the family and thousands of mourners in Thindigua, Kiambu County, highlighted the Government’s plan to introduce a state-funded health insurance scheme for Kenyans suffering from chronic diseases like cancer.
He also emphasized the Government’s investment in medical equipment to facilitate early cancer diagnosis and management.
“Cancer is devastating to any family in terms of emotions and finances. We have made interventions as a Government to come up with an insurance scheme to cover chronic illnesses because the cost of treating cancer out of the country is beyond many families,” said Gachagua.
He commended Reverend Kathy Kiuna for her dedication to caring for the late Bishop during his illness.
Drawing from his personal experience of caring for his late brother, former Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua, who also succumbed to cancer, the Deputy President acknowledged the emotional and financial toll the disease takes on families.
Gachagua explained that the new insurance policy would transform the healthcare sector, save lives, and empower communities by reducing the financial burden.
“Today many families have harambees every weekend trying to raise millions of shillings to support their loved ones suffering from cancer. But I am encouraged that now we have equipment. Health facilities like Kenyatta University Referral Hospital have installed a PET scan available only outside the country several years ago. We have equipment that can help with early diagnosis because cancer ailments, if detected early, can be managed,” he stated.
Eulogizing Bishop Kiuna as a visionary religious and transformational leader, Mr. Gachagua praised his kindness and impact on many lives.
“Bishop Kiuna was a great man of God. For 25 years he has built a great church with serious membership all over the world. I assure Reverend Kathy of our prayers and solidarity in this difficult moment. Bishop Kiuna has left a very enduring legacy that Kathy must build on. She is now the vision carrier of JCC Church,” said Gachagua.
In his condolence message, President Ruto described the late Bishop as a “firm faith leader whose sermons were stimulating, authentic, and targeted.” He added, “I have lost a true friend and an extraordinary man of God. Bishop Kiuna was a General of the word of God, who founded the Jubilee Christian Church. Beyond the pulpit, he was focused, hardworking, and played the lead role in uplifting the needy.”
Gachagua, accompanied by his spouse Pastor Dorcas and other leaders, reiterated the Government’s commitment to combating illicit brews and drug abuse.
He urged politicians to stay away from these efforts. “The challenge of illicit alcohol and drugs is real, and many people want to run away from reality. When we came into office with President Ruto, we found a big challenge on illicit brews and drugs in the entire country, specifically the Central Kenya region. We took it head-on and have made serious strides. The fight must continue uninterrupted to save our county,” he said.
He added, “I have put leaders on notice; anyone trying to interfere will be called out by name so that they can be shamed. We cannot allow the reintroduction of poison disguised as alcohol to kill our children.”
Gachagua also called on the Church and religious organizations to join the Government in saving the youth affected by these vices and rehabilitating those addicted.
Simultaneously, he asked Kenyans and the Church to pray for President Ruto as he reconstitutes the Cabinet to ensure he picks a team of competent, humble, and incorruptible individuals ready to serve the nation.
“We support President Ruto for his courageous and pragmatic decision to dissolve the Cabinet and come up with a new team that is focused and competent to help him in the management of the affairs of the Nation. I ask the Church and all Christians to pray for our President to pick the right people. God has given him a chance to come up with a good team of Kenyans who are patriotic, not corrupt, not arrogant, and who are serious about service delivery. Our President needs your prayers,” Gachagua concluded.
Leaders present at the burial included Nominated Senator Veronica Maina, MPs Anne Wamuratha (Kiambu Woman Representative), Sabina Chege (Nominated), Peter Salasya (Mumias East), Amos Mwago (Starehe), and former MPs Cate Waruguru and Margaret Wanjiru.
