Kitale town was thrown into political tension as President William Ruto’s development tour of Trans Nzoia coincided with a Linda Mwananchi rally led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Governor George Natembeya.
The political contest unfolded against a backdrop of simmering tensions, with Sifuna and Natembeya first being denied an opportunity to address mourners at the burial of Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police Lazarus Simiyu Opicho at Maili Saba before the confrontation spilled into Kitale town.
While Ruto toured the county to launch and inspect development projects, Sifuna and leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement rallied supporters against the President’s administration.
Sifuna, who described Opicho as his cousin, and Natembeya were among the leaders who could not deliver their tributes after political chants disrupted the funeral programme.
The ceremony had proceeded according to a programme outlined by Dr Masoud Mwinyi, the Principal Deputy to the Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service, who also served as the master of ceremonies.
The programme provided for Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga to speak first, followed by Trans Nzoia Deputy Speaker Obed Mahanga, who was to introduce the elected leaders.
Natembeya was scheduled to address mourners before introducing Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. The programme also included representatives of the national government and Uganda’s ambassador to Turkey, who was representing his country’s leadership.
However, the proceedings took a political turn when Bumula MP Jack Wamboka led mourners in chanting “Wantam” in the presence of police officers.
The chants disrupted the programme, prompting Mwinyi to cut short the speeches after Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale had addressed the gathering.
Mwinyi subsequently informed leaders who had expected to speak that only selected politicians and government officials would be given speaking slots.
He urged those who would not address the gathering to accept the arrangement, arguing that their colleagues would represent their views.
“For those who had planned to speak but will not be given a chance, let us be content with what will have been said by our colleagues,” Mwinyi said.
He added that leaders who felt their messages had not been adequately conveyed could visit the bereaved family later to offer their condolences.
The decision effectively denied Sifuna and Natembeya an opportunity to pay public tribute to Opicho, drawing criticism from opposition leaders who viewed the restrictions as an infringement on their freedom of expression.
Sifuna called on members of the Linda Mwananchi movement to forgive those who had prevented them from speaking, suggesting that some police officers could have been acting on instructions from their superiors.
He maintained that he had attended the funeral to mourn his relative rather than engage in political confrontation.
The senator, however, used the incident to renew his criticism of Ruto’s administration, accusing it of creating an environment in which opposition leaders could not freely express their views.
Sifuna also challenged the President over his involvement in development projects that he argued fell within the responsibilities of county governments.
He said his presidential ambitions were driven by the need to restore constitutionalism, protect democratic freedoms and end what he described as political intimidation.
“If I become president, I will transform the affordable housing units being built by the current administration into housing for police officers,” Sifuna said, criticising the living conditions of police officers.
Natembeya also expressed disappointment at being denied an opportunity to mourn a fellow leader and relative.
He described Opicho as one of their own and argued that the restrictions evoked memories of the political environment before the restoration of multiparty democracy in Kenya.
The governor further challenged the government’s approach to unemployment, arguing that joblessness among young people was a more pressing national problem than allegations of political groups sponsoring violence.
He maintained that creating employment opportunities should be a priority for the administration rather than accusing its critics of sponsoring disorder.
Senior police officials defended the need to maintain order during the burial, insisting that the funeral programme had to be respected.
Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service Gilbert Masengeli cautioned politicians against turning the funeral into a platform for political mobilisation.
“Everyone has the right to voice their opinions, but this is not the place for it during Opicho’s burial. You’ll be crossing boundaries that belong to others. If you do, you will face the full consequences of the law,” Masengeli said.
Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat also paid tribute to Opicho, describing him as a person of integrity who had built strong relationships with the community.
Lagat condemned goonism, saying the National Police Service remained committed to listening to the concerns of political leaders while enforcing the law.
Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga, meanwhile, raised concerns over the withdrawal of Natembeya’s security detail, warning that the decision could have serious consequences if the governor’s safety were compromised.
“This is a prominent leader in our nation. Even the late former Vice President Michael Kijana Wamalwa retained his security when he had disagreements with his superior,” Kalasinga said.
The MP further alleged that opposition leaders had been denied access to the meeting despite being acknowledged and had been subjected to rough treatment.
The allegations added to the controversy surrounding the funeral, although the competing accounts did not independently establish whether the restrictions were politically motivated.
Ruto Showcases Development Projects
As opposition leaders attended Opicho’s burial, Ruto was undertaking a development tour of Trans Nzoia, where he defended his administration’s record and renewed criticism of Natembeya.
The President’s itinerary included an inspection of the Maili Tatu affordable housing project in Saboti Constituency and the laying of the foundation stone for student hostels at Kitale National Polytechnic.
He also visited Kitale Medium Prison, where he launched a housing project, and handed over the Masinde Muliro Business Park, a multistorey trading complex designed to accommodate thousands of traders.
At Kitale Kenya Medical Training College, Ruto handed over a tuition block and pledged additional funding for student accommodation.
The President also broke ground for the expansion of Kitale County Level 5 Hospital.
The planned 300-bed facility will include 32 intensive care and high-dependency unit beds, four theatres, emergency and outpatient departments, radiology and laboratory facilities, maternity and newborn units, and surgical wards.
His engagements also included the launch of a road project intended to improve access to Kijana Wamalwa Referral Hospital.
The tour provided Ruto with an opportunity to showcase his administration’s development agenda but also exposed the political differences between the national government and Natembeya’s county administration.
Ruto accused the governor of frustrating national government projects in Trans Nzoia, while Natembeya has maintained that his administration deserves recognition for development initiatives funded through county resources.
The dispute over the Masinde Muliro Business Park emerged as one of the focal points of the disagreement, reflecting the broader contest over credit for development projects and the respective responsibilities of the two levels of government.
Police Fire Teargas as Opposition Leaders Rally in Kitale
The political drama intensified when Sifuna, Natembeya and other opposition leaders moved to Kitale town shortly after the President concluded his tour and left the area.
The opposition leaders used their platform to criticise Ruto’s leadership, question the withdrawal of Natembeya’s security detail and demand greater accountability from the national government.
The situation later escalated when police fired teargas to disperse the gathering, scattering sections of the crowd and heightening tension in the town.
The National Police Service subsequently condemned what it described as the conduct of politicians who had contravened the Public Order Act.
In a statement issued on Friday night, the service said preliminary reports indicated that the incident had endangered public safety and undermined the rule of law.
“Two law enforcement officers sustained injuries, and two government vehicles were damaged,” the NPS said.
The service announced that investigations had commenced and warned that anyone found culpable would face legal action, regardless of political affiliation or public office.
It also urged political leaders and their supporters to exercise restraint and respect the law.
