President William Ruto has taken note of how politicians leverage funeral events to advance their selfish agendas.
Speaking during the sendoff of Baringo senator William Cheptumo on Saturday, March 1, the president noted that politicians had turned such events uncomfortable to be in due to the dramatic scenes they cause.
While making his point, the president lauded the Baringo people for their calm during their senator's burial.
"I must say, that the people of Baringo have made me very proud. It is not easy to go to a funeral in which there is so much order and civility like the one in Baringo," he said.
The president, seemingly disturbed, faulted leaders who cause injuries and deaths while engaging in fights at funeral functions.
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According to him, such displays rob the bereaved families of their dignity and are a blatant show of disrespect to the kin of the deceased.
He called on the members of the political class to mend their ways and respect the bereaved.
"It is unfortunate that funerals have become battlegrounds these days. Chairs are being thrown, cutlery and other items are flying around—what a shame. I want to ask leaders: Can you attend a funeral, a solemn occasion, and respect the family and the departed? But instead, it is always fights and attacks, the lowest we can go. As a society, we must rethink what is going on, the beligerence; the don't care attitude; we must rethink it," he said.
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The president seemed to reference the events in a Kakamega funeral where politicians clashed through hired goons.
It was on February 9, 2025, when Governor Fernandes Barasa was spotlighted for allegedly arming young men to attack mourners at a funeral in Mumias.
The county boss was among the dignitaries gracing the funeral of retired senior chief Mzee Agostino Odongo in Matungu.
Chaos erupted after Barasa's supporters clashed with those of one-time Sports CS Rashid Echesa and Matungu MP Peter Nabulindo.
Chairs were seen flying at the venue, leaving some people injured in the melee.
One of the suspected goons unleashing terror on the mourners revealed they had been contracted by the governor who sought to be protected during the funeral.
Identified as Felix Amutala, the goon revealed they were deployed in droves from Shinyalu to protect the governor.
According to Amutala, the governor asked them to arm themselves before showing up at the funeral.
The man, who was equally attacked by the public, confessed to stabbing two people at the funeral.
"We were asked by the governor to come to the funeral to protect him. We were deployed in six vehicles, Toyota Probox. We were told to carry knives. I have stabbed two people so far, and I asked the Mumia people to forgive me," Amutala claimed.
However, in his statement, Barasa sought to absolve himself of any wrongdoing.
He accused his political adversaries of sponsoring the chaos.
