Former President Uhuru Kenyatta triggered a burst of laughter at a funeral after turning President William Ruto’s latest political jibe against him into an unexpected punchline, leaving PPK leader Ndindi Nyoro laughing uncontrollably beside Fred Matiang’i.
Uhuru had just warned mourners that he would stick to his prepared remarks, saying the political atmosphere had become too dangerous for him to speak freely without his words being interpreted.
“Usually me I speak off the cuff, but these days my life is becoming quite dangerous for me. Wacha nisome ile niko nayo before the media start interpreting,” he said before reading a short tribute to the deceased.
The former President delivered the tribute in a solemn tone, keeping his remarks focused on the departed and the grieving family.
But after finishing, Uhuru suddenly switched gears.
“Asanteni sana, ni hayo kwa sasa kutoka kwa Sponyo,” he said, borrowing the Sheng word for “sponsor” that has recently featured in the political attacks directed at him.
The remark immediately sent the gathering into laughter.
Among those who appeared most amused was Nyoro, who was seated next to Matiang’i. The PPK party leader broke into a loud and prolonged burst of laughter, visibly struggling to contain himself after Uhuru’s unexpected parting shot.
Matiang’i was seated right beside Nyoro as the former President’s joke landed, creating a striking scene involving three figures who have increasingly featured in the opposition political conversation.
Uhuru’s choice of the word “Sponyo” was loaded with political meaning. Ruto has repeatedly accused his predecessor of sponsoring opposition activities, particularly as political alliances and movements opposed to his administration gain momentum.
During his recent tour of Nyanza, Ruto escalated his attacks on Uhuru, portraying him as a “rebel leader” and accusing him of being behind efforts to challenge his administration.
Rather than respond with a lengthy political statement, Uhuru appeared to turn the accusation into humour.
His earlier warning that he would read from his prepared text to avoid having his words interpreted added another layer to the moment. Having deliberately limited his remarks, he ended with a single word that appeared to acknowledge the political controversy swirling around him.
The joke proved enough to break the solemnity of the occasion, with Nyoro’s loud laughter becoming one of the most noticeable reactions in the gathering.
The moment also underscored the increasingly charged political atmosphere surrounding Uhuru, Nyoro and Matiang’i as opposition figures continue to position themselves ahead of the 2027 political contest.
For a funeral that had begun with solemn tributes, Uhuru’s brief “Sponyo” sign-off provided an unexpected comic ending and Nyoro’s uncontrollable laughter ensured the moment did not go unnoticed.