Suba North Member of Parliament Millie Odhiambo has strongly condemned a physical confrontation that disrupted a funeral ceremony in Murang’a County, warning that violence driven by political differences poses a serious threat to democracy and women’s participation in leadership.
Speaking after the incident, Millie described the attack as unacceptable and dangerous, particularly because it targeted a woman leader expressing her political views.
She emphasized that political competition, regardless of party affiliation or loyalty, should never descend into physical aggression.
The incident occurred on Saturday during the burial of Alice Wangari Gakuya, the mother of Embakasi North Member of Parliament James Gakuya.
The funeral attracted several high-profile political figures, turning what was meant to be a solemn family occasion into a politically charged gathering.
Among those in attendance were former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria.
Tensions flared when Lamu Woman Representative Muthoni Marubu chanted the slogan “Tutam,” a phrase commonly associated with support for President William Ruto’s anticipated re-election bid in 2027.
The chant reportedly angered some mourners, triggering a brief physical confrontation that forced the burial proceedings to momentarily halt.
Security officers and funeral organizers acted swiftly to restore calm, preventing the situation from escalating further. Although order was eventually reinstated and the burial continued, the atmosphere remained tense for the remainder of the ceremony.
Following the disruption, Moses Kuria left the funeral prematurely. He later claimed that he had received prior intelligence suggesting there were plans to target leaders perceived to be politically opposed to the Deputy President. Kuria strongly criticised the violence, expressing outrage over the treatment of the woman leader involved.
Millie Odhiambo, reacting to the events, reiterated her long-standing call for the protection of women in politics. She warned that allowing such incidents to go unpunished sends the wrong message and could discourage women from freely expressing their political opinions.
The incident has sparked widespread debate online, with many Kenyans condemning the violence and urging political leaders to exercise restraint, especially during sensitive events such as funerals.
As the country slowly heads toward the 2027 General Election, the Murang’a funeral disruption serves as a reminder of rising political tensions and the need for tolerance, respect, and peaceful coexistence regardless of political alignment.p
