Chaos at Murang'a burial as Tangatanga, Kieleweke factions clash
What you need to know:
- The politicians gathered for the mass burial of five family members who died in a road accident at Kwangolia area on Wote-Machakos road on September 12.
- Trouble started when Kangema MP Muturi Kigano, a member of Kieleweke which supports the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga, stood to address the mourners.
- Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege and Senate Chief Whip Irungu Kang’ata — both of Kieleweke — tried in vain to restore calm.
Differences among supporters of Jubilee Party’s Tangatanga and Kieleweke factions degenerated into kicks and blows at a funeral ceremony in Murang’a County on Friday.
Politicians and members of the public had gathered for the mass burial of five family members - a man and his wife, their child and a nephew and the man’s sister - who died in a road accident at Kwangolia area on Wote-Machakos road on September 12.
Trouble started when Kangema MP Muturi Kigano, a member of Kieleweke which supports the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga, stood to address the mourners.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro is shielded by his bodyguards during a clash between Kieleweke and Tangatanga supports at a burial in Murang'a County on September 25, 2020. Mwangi Muiruri | Nation Media Group
In his address, Mr Kigano dismissed those opposed to the President’s clarion call to focus on service delivery instead of premature campaigns for the 2022 General Election.
“There are people telling us they are political geniuses and offering us guidance on where to belong politically. [They should know] we are educated and that after we are through supporting the President as he completes his tenure, we will converge in a political platform and decide on where to cast our votes,” he said.
He then invited Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, a Tangatanga member, to speak.
Nyoro interrupted
Mr Nyoro had not even greeted the people when former Councillor Alex Mbote asked him to apologise for “utterances against we who support the handshake”.
Mr Mbote shouted, saying, “You and your political master have been abusing us with impunity so today, right here you must say ‘sorry’.”
He charged towards Mr Nyoro, forcing his aides to form a defensive ring around him as mourners took sides.
Mr Alex Mbote, who is Murang'a Governor Mwangi wa Iria's aide, shouts as he approaches Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro at Nyakahura Primary School grounds on September 25, 2020.
Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege and Senate Chief Whip Irungu Kang’ata — both of Kieleweke — tried in vain to restore calm.
Fist fights and kicks followed, turning the ceremony chaotic and forcing guests to flee.
The funeral service came to a halt, with security officers struggling to restore order. Family members and the clergy left for the burial ground.
Mr Kigano had warned against violence at the ceremony, alleging that youths had been hired to assault Kieleweke members.
The two sides clashed at the bereaved family’s home last week when Mr Kigano went to deliver financial donations by the President and other senior government officials.
President Kenyatta is expected to visit Murang'a for initiatives apparently aimed at clipping DP Ruto's wings. They include revival of stalled projects and the launch of new ones in sectors including agriculture and small and medium enterprise.
In Murang'a, Mr Nyoro has teamed up with Kandara MP Alice Wahome to preach DP Ruto's 'hustler gospel'.
