The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Public Service CS Justin Muturi was unable to read President William Ruto’s condolence message during the funeral of former Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti’s son, Eric Kivuti.
The President could not attend the Friday service as he was at the funeral of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula’s mother in Bungoma. However, he had prepared a message to be read to the mourners.
As Muturi began reading the message, the crowd started booing, preventing him from continuing.
“I’ve been given a message of condolence from His Excellency the President… (booing) So, now that I’ve reached here, should I read it or not?” Muturi asked.
The crowd responded by chanting “Don’t read it.”
Muturi then spoke to the Bishop present, saying, “I’ve been advised wisely, and as the former speaker… you know the late JJ Kamotho used to say, ‘the vote of noise,’ I’ve heard the vote of noise…” He acknowledged the crowd’s reaction and explained that he was instructed to read the message publicly.
Eric Mutugi Kivuti passed away last week at MP Shah Hospital after a brief illness.
This isn’t the first time President Ruto’s tributes have been met with heckling. In November 2024, during the burial of nominated MCA Mark Gicheru Wainaina, a similar incident took place. President Ruto had sent Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata and Kirinyaga Senator James Murango to read his condolence message. However, as soon as Murango began reading, the mourners began booing and signaling for him to sit down.
“Please allow me to read this to show respect to Mark…” Murango pleaded, but the crowd continued their disapproval. Realizing the situation, the presiding priest stepped in and asked Murango to hand the message to the family instead.
Governor Kang’ata, who also had Ruto’s message, agreed to give it to the family directly. “Let me also give the President’s speech to the family,” he said, and proceeded to do so.
