Murang’a governor Irungu Kang’ata and Kirinyaga county speaker Muteti Murimi were unable to read out President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s condolence messages during the funeral of the late nominated MCA Mark Gicheru Wainaina on Saturday.
Ruto and Kindiki did not attend the burial service held in Kiharu but sent their written condolence messages to be read to the family and mourners during the MCA's burial.
However, mourners that booing immediately Murimi started reading Kindiki's condolences to the family, friends and the church congregation in attendance.
“To the great people of Murang’a, fellow mourners, ladies and gentlemen...” Speaker Muteti had started reading the message before he was interrupted.
“Allow me to read so that we can give Mark respect..,” he pleaded with the mourners but they persited with the booing whilst motioning him to resume his seat.
Having read the mood and realised the mourners would not allow Murimi to continue delivering the DP's message, the presiding priest intervened and asked him to hand over the condolence message to the family of the late Mark Wainaina.
The speaker obliged, handed back the microphone to Kangáta and resumed his seat.
Mourners clapped and cheered as the Kirinyaga county speaker handed back the microphone and proceeded to hand the paper to the family.
“Let us maintain peace in this service, thank you,” the priest was heard saying as Governor Kang’ata stood up to speak.
The governor who was holding President William Ruto's condolence message said that he would also hand it to the family instead of reading it.
“Let me also request that I hand the speech of the President to the family,” he said, and proceeded to hand over the paper to the family.
The burial service was held in Kirogo, Kiharu constituency, Murang’a county on Saturday.
Wainaina died on November 13 after suffering severe pulmonary disease that led to lung failure.