Mwangi Kiunjuri, a member of Parliament from Laikipia East, and Sarah Korere, a member of Parliament from Laikipia North, were obliged to shorten their comments at a burial service in Laikipia County.
This came after mourners mocked and ridiculed them for defending President William Ruto’s regime. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who attended the burial, led his allies in criticizing President Ruto, accusing him of undermining his position by insulting his adversaries.
The mood was relaxed, with occasional applause for leaders who spoke out against the administration until Laikipia North legislator Sarah Paulata Korere took the podium.
Korere was met with hostility from the start when she criticized Gachagua’s allies. “Where I come from, when you attend a funeral, you set aside unnecessary sideshows first.” she remarked, only to be met with loud boos from the crowd.
The politician also chastised the clergy for holding the ceremony in the vernacular, claiming that national celebrations should be inclusive of all languages.
“You will raise your hands until you get tired. You formed the Kenya Kwanza government, and I agree with Kiunjuri, we will remain in it,” she stated.
“But when we come to a national platform where all Kenyans are represented, this is Kiamariga, Laikipia not Nyeri. We all do not understand Kikuyu.”
Her remarks fueled additional dissatisfaction among the grieving. Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri was also targeted, with the audience jeering him during his speech. Like Korere, he was forced to keep his remarks brief.
“I will remain in government. The people of Laikipia must unite. I will be called whatever they choose to call me because this is the government we have now in our village,” Kiunjuri stated.
Attempting to use a local proverb, he added, “A porcupine has thorns but still gives birth. Let us stay here.” However, this failed to pacify the crowd.
Rigathi Gachagua, visibly agitated, approached the platform next, severely criticizing the MPs for what he called contempt for the clergy.
“Bishop, on behalf of the political class, please accept our apology for the disrespect that has been shown to you by that Member of Parliament who is an ally of President William Ruto,” he stated.
Gachagua went on to accuse the legislators of copying the president’s attitude to political speech.
“You call the people of the mountain tribalists, the people of Ukambani ‘ndengu’ people, and the people of Isiolo drug peddlers. there is no need to insult people,” he said.
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga and Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah also spoke out against the government.
Several leaders aligned with the former deputy president attended the occasion to pay tribute to Mzee William Nderitu of Laikipia County.
