Governor Susan Kihika of Nakuru received a cold welcome from the mourners when she read President William Ruto’s condolences during a burial in the Bahati Constituency. Growing political discontent in the area was shown by the audience’s repeated interruptions of the proceedings with jeers directed at the Kenya Kwanza leaders present. Kihika found it difficult to finish her duty as Henry Gachie, the brother of Bahati MP Irene Njoki, was being buried.
She begged to be allowed to read the President’s message to the mourning family, stressing that it was meant for them. Though she hurriedly concluded the address and thanked the audience for their “valuable feedback” on the present political situation, it was clear that the throng disapproved of her attempts.
There were other Kenya Kwanza leaders present who faced comparable difficulties. George Macharia, the MP for Ndia, tried to further the government’s agenda but was met with apathy, so he had to conclude his speech early. Rep. Anne Wamuratha, a Kiambu woman who is renowned for her ability to enthrall audiences via song, was unable to inspire the mourning either. She sang the melody to a well-known Kikuyu song by herself.
Taking a different tack, EALA MP Kanini Kega distanced himself from the political climate at home by pointing out that he was frequently out of the nation, most commonly in Tanzania. He lightened the situation even further by jokingly accepting queries about Arusha or Somalia while avoiding the official government line.
Nonetheless, other speakers wisely steered clear of divisive subjects and stuck to sentiments of consolation and sympathy. This incident demonstrated the growing dissatisfaction that some sections of the public have with the current administration as a result of the leaders’ handling of an increasingly irate electorate.
By Citizen Digital