Drama ensued at a funeral event in Kirinyaga on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, when a pastor decided to walk out of the event after he clashed with a section of the mourners and politicians.
The pastor is said to have denied politicians allied to former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua a chance to speak at the funeral.
A video seen by K24 Digital that has since gone viral on social media shows Kirinyanga Women Representative Njeri Maina and the area Senator Kamau Murango confronting the pastor as they sought a chance to be heard.
Mourners at the event then started chanting in unison, leading to the tensions, and when the pastor could not manage them anymore, he chose to storm out.
The video also shows a section of the mourners storming the main dais to confront the pastor, urging him to respect their leaders and allow them to speak.
“Hatutakubali…hatutakubali…Patia viongozi wetu heshima…” some mourners are heard saying.
Pastor accused of bias
Some locals accused the pastor of being biased and appearing to have leaned on the government side.
Addressing the media from his car moments after storming out of the
“This is a burial ceremony and is not a political gathering. We are not fighting with them; we have honored them and given them an opportunity to speak to the people. Instead of condoling with the family, they were like settling scores. This was not good and is not allowed,” the pastor is heard saying.
However, the leaders were allowed to speak thereafter, with Gachagua addressing the mourners through a phone call with Senator Murango. Gachagua addressed the mourners in their local dialect.
Gachagua allies slam NCIC
This comes moments after lawmakers allied to Gachagua expressed concerns over what they described as a pattern of politically motivated actions by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), particularly targeting the former DP and the Mt. Kenya community.
The lawmakers, led by Gatanga Member of Parliament Edward Muriu, faulted the NCIC for what they termed as selective application of their mandate as they challenged the commission to remain impartial.
“We demand that the NCIC apply its mandate uniformly, ensuring that all leaders, regardless of their political affiliations, are held accountable for statements that threaten national cohesion,” Muriu said in his statement.
Tetu MP also echoed Muriu’s sentiments, accusing the NCIC of overlooking some lawmakers allied to the Kenya Kwanza government who also have a knack for making explosive statements in public.
