Drama unfolded in Embu today , during the burial of Eric Mutugi Kivuti, son of former Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti, as mourners openly rejected President William Ruto’s condolence message. The tension-filled ceremony in Kanyuambora, Mbeere North, highlighted growing public discontent with the government’s handling of critical issues, including abductions in the region.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, who was tasked with delivering the president’s tribute, found himself caught in the crossfire. As he began to read, “I have been given a message of condolence from His Excellency the President…” the mourners erupted into loud protests, chanting “Usisome! Usisome!” (“Don’t read it! Don’t read it!”). Their resistance forced Muturi to abandon the reading, instead handing the message directly to the family.
“I have heard that noise vote,” Muturi quipped, acknowledging the crowd’s defiance, a moment that underscored the palpable tension in the gathering.
This is not the first time Embu residents have openly expressed dissatisfaction with President Ruto. In November 2024, the president faced jeers during the consecration of Bishop Peter Kimani at the Embu Catholic Archdiocese when he attempted to promote government programs like the Affordable Housing Project and the SHA initiative. The crowd’s dissent forced the president to momentarily pause his address.
The burial rejection, however, had a deeper undercurrent, tied to the unresolved cases of abductions in Embu County. Local leaders, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, have piled pressure on the government, questioning why no action has been taken to locate missing persons or address families’ concerns.
“This administration must step up. How do we have citizens disappearing with no answers?” Gachagua lamented at a recent public gathering.
Governor Cecily Mbarire has also weighed in, urging residents to refrain from heckling the president, arguing that such actions might jeopardize development projects for the region. “We cannot demand progress while showing disrespect to leadership,” she said in defense of the presidency.
The rejection of Ruto’s condolence message at the burial adds to a growing chorus of frustration among Embu residents, who feel increasingly sidelined by national leadership. As the government faces mounting public scrutiny, it must urgently address these grievances to regain trust and stem the rising tide of dissent.
The events in Embu serve as a chilling reminder of the challenges facing the Ruto administration, with the public demanding both accountability and action.
