Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua on Thursday faced a difficult moment at the funeral of former Mbooni MP Joseph Munyao, after sections of mourners in Makueni County expressed open displeasure as he attempted to address them.
The incident occurred at Ngiluni Primary School in Mbooni Constituency, where hundreds of residents and several national leaders had gathered to pay their final respects to the former Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Development. Among those in attendance were Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr, former Public Service CS Justin Muturi, and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, among other dignitaries.
When Dr. Mutua rose to speak, isolated jeers and chants of “one term” emerged from parts of the crowd, signalling a section of the audience that appeared dissatisfied with the government. The interruptions briefly intensified as he began to read President William Ruto’s condolence message, prompting the presiding clergy to intervene.
Archbishop Timothy Ndambuki, who led the service, called for calm and urged the mourners to remain respectful and allow the ceremony to proceed smoothly. Following his intervention, the programme continued without further incident.
Despite the momentary disruption, the majority of speakers focused on celebrating Hon. Munyao’s legacy, describing him as a humble statesman who dedicated his life to public service and development. Those who worked closely with him recalled his unwavering commitment to improving the welfare of the people of Mbooni and contributing to national progress.
The funeral brought together leaders from across the political divide, underscoring Munyao’s reputation as a principled and respected figure. The ceremony culminated in a dignified farewell to a man remembered for his service, humility, and deep-rooted dedication to his community.
