Police behaviour in Taita Taveta was 'shameful', says DP Ruto
Deputy President William Ruto has condemned the police after officers disrupted burial preparations for Mahoo MCA Ronald Sagurani on Tuesday morning.
The police in Taveta, Taita Taveta County had cited violation of Covid-19 rules for the move.
Officers dismantled tents that were erected at Kemri grounds in a bid to stop people from attending the burial ceremony that was to be graced by the DP.
The family was forced to hold the ceremony at his home in Russia, thus locking out hundreds of mourners.
'Shameful' conduct
While addressing mourners, DP Ruto apologised to the family. He condemned the skirmishes as shameful, and apologised on behalf of the government.
"The government he (MCA Sagurani) voted for is the same one that came to disrupt this funeral...It is not fair and it is not right," Dr Ruto said.
"I believe God will remove the shame that was witnessed here today."
However, Taveta Sub-County police commander Charles Barasa said the mourners were scattered due to Covid-19 guidelines.
"We did not want many people to attend the burial following the presidential order that only allows a certain number of people to attend," he said.
BBI
At the service, DP Ruto went on to ask those he has wronged for forgiveness, but added that he is a man on a mission with no luxury to surrender.
"The many who are struggling...they too become a part of our mission. I cannot retreat and I cannot surrender. We have decided to change the economy and have a bottom-up economy in Kenya," he added.
On BBI, he said those who are leaders cannot just change the Constitution to share power without regard to Kenyans.
Mr Sagurani died of Covid-19 complications while undergoing treatment at Pandya Hospital in Mombasa on August 17.
The Mahoo representative is the fourth MCA to die in the second county assembly.
He was elected to the assembly through the Jubilee party which gave him the opportunity to serve as the minority leader in the House.
Report by Lucy Mkanyika and Lynette Mukami
