The rising political tensions in Mt. Kenya were once again evident during the funeral of Elder Beatrice Muthoni Ng’ang’a in Runana, Nachu Ward, Kamangu, Kikuyu Constituency. Mourners, who had gathered to pay their last respects to the late Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) elder, disrupted a speech by Mr Simon Ngugi popularly known as Symo Wa Mary, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) chairman and representative of Kikuyu MP and Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.
A Solemn Occasion Turns Political
Elder Beatrice Muthoni Ng’ang’a was a devoted servant of God, and her sendoff attracted not only family and friends but also the political class. Her brother, former Kiambu Governor James Nyoro, is a known political figure, making the event a magnet for leaders from across the county. Among those present was Kigathi Kionywe, a prominent aspirant for the Kikuyu Constituency parliamentary seat, along with other leaders.
Political Tensions Boil Over
As Symo Wa Mary took to the podium to address the mourners, attempting to highlight the government’s agenda, the crowd grew restless. The moment he began speaking, heckles and boos drowned him out, with mourners loudly chanting the name of Kigathi Kionywe. The disruption forced Symo to cut short his speech, unable to control the crowd’s rejection.
In his part, Kigathi Kionywe recommended the presiding Rev for his courage in calling out the government, saying that it has come to a point where people must start speaking the truth: that SHA and SHIF are not working. Kigathi asked people to support the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and requested the Rev to invite him one of these days. Surveyor Kigathi Kionywe has captured the hearts and minds of the Kikuyu people with his sobriety and style of leadership.
Surveyor Kigathi Kionywe
This incident mirrors a recent episode in Kirinyaga, where political tensions ran so high during a burial that a bishop walked out as politicians clashed. While the Kikuyu burial did not escalate to that level, the heckling highlighted the deep political divisions in the region.
A Sign of Changing Political Winds?
With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, the repeated heckling of government representatives at public gatherings signals a growing dissatisfaction among the electorate. Mt. Kenya politics remains highly dynamic, and such incidents may be an indication that the political tide is shifting.
Is this a sign that Kikuyu constituents are ready for new leadership? Or is it just another display of political rivalry playing out in public spaces?
Watch the video of the incident here: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMBepSW7S/
