Chaos and political drama erupted at the burial of Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka’s mother, Teresa Omoke, after South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro and Kitutu Chache North MP Japhet Nyakundi were loudly heckled by mourners over their close association with President William Ruto.
Also jeered was Nominated ODM Irene Nyakerario who claimed allegiance to the Oburu Odinga faction of the party.
The tense Friday burial ceremony at Monarch hotel grounds turned into a political mind battlefield as angry mourners and opposition leaders vented frustration over the soaring cost of living, rising fuel prices under the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Trouble began moments after the two UDA lawmakers rose to speak, with sections of the crowd shouting them down and demanding answers over the worsening economic situation facing ordinary Kenyans.
“We are tired of lies. People are suffering while leaders keep defending the government,” one mourner shouted as the crowd erupted into chants of one term.
Another angry resident yelled: “Tell Ruto Kenyans are hungry and cannot survive anymore.”
For the better part charged mourners jeered and waved down the MPs as they spoke.
Of the three, only Osoro weathered jeers as he spoke amid chants of one term.
Opposition leaders attending the burial including Kalonzo Musyoka and David Magara seized the moment to launch fresh attacks against President Ruto’s administration, accusing it of abandoning wananchi and pushing Kenyans deeper into poverty.
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i claimed public anger against the government was rapidly growing across the country.
“Kenyans have lost patience because of broken promises, high taxes and unbearable living costs,” Matiang’i said.
He added: “The government must stop ignoring wananchi because the frustration and pain in the country is evident.”
The burial, attended by several opposition figures, quickly transformed into an anti-government rally as leaders called for unity ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Despite the hostility, Osoro told the crowd to judge him individually and not collectively.
Nyakundi pleaded with mourners to maintain peace and avoid politicising funerals.
“This is a time to comfort the bereaved family and not to fight politically,” Nyakundi said.
However, his remarks were drowned by fresh heckling from mourners chanting anti-government slogans.
The dramatic scenes exposed growing political cracks in the Gusii region, where opposition leaders have intensified campaigns against President Ruto’s allies ahead of the next elections.
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