MAKUENI COUNTY, Kenya — Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, Dr. Alfred Mutua, faced a hostile reception and repeated interruptions while delivering President William Ruto’s condolence message at the funeral of former Mbooni MP Joseph Munyau.
The incident, which occurred at Ngiluni Primary School in Kalawa, Mbooni Constituency, saw sections of the large crowd break into loud chants of “One Term!”—a clear signal of discontent with the current government.
Dr. Mutua, the former Machakos Governor who now represents the Kenya Kwanza administration, struggled to be heard as he rose to speak on Thursday, December 4, 2025. The heckling intensified when the CS announced he was about to read the official message from President Ruto.
Before attempting to read the President’s remarks, Dr. Mutua made his own statement, offering condolences and praising the late Munyau as a close friend. He also briefly touched on political intolerance across the country.
“I totally agree with the sentiments shared here about violence,” Mutua said. “Violence cuts both ways. At one time, I have been chased in rallies, and so have many others. We must end this culture of violence.”
Tensions escalated further when Mutua suggested that the hecklers were trying to shame Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who was present alongside other leaders including DAP-K Party leader Eugene Wamalwa.
The repeated disruptions eventually forced Archbishop Timothy Ndambuki to intervene firmly to restore order to the church service.
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“We are in the middle of a church service,” the Archbishop reminded the mourners. “The CS is just a messenger — and a messenger is never killed. This behavior you are exhibiting is the same one that triggers violence during elections. We must learn tolerance.”
Following the Archbishop’s appeal, Dr. Mutua managed to proceed with the President’s message. Upon concluding, he made a subtle request to the clergy regarding the crowd’s actions: “Bishop, I ask you to forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
The dramatic scene at the funeral of the respected former Minister and statesman, Konzolo Munyao, underscores the rising political tensions and shifting alliances within the Ukambani region.
