'Aende asiende', Ruto allies clash with Sifuna supporters at Bungoma funeral

Nominated Senator Connie Wakwabubi was booed by mourners as she addressed the burial of Josephine Namukabo, the mother of former Bumula MP Bifwoli Wakoli, before area MP Jack Wamboka grabbed her microphone and declared the region’s support for Sifuna’s one-term campaign.

Wakwabubi attempted to rally support for Ruto but faced resistance from a section of mourners, forcing her to seek Wamboka’s intervention to allow her to conclude her speech.

“Ruto, Ruto, Ruto, Ruto, Ruto,” Wakwabubi chanted as she sought to make her point.

However, Wamboka took the microphone and urged her to leave, declaring that the region did not want Ruto’s politics.

“Aende asiende, aende asiende, aende asiende. Sindikiza mheshimiwa akitoka hapa aende nyumbani. Mambo ya Ruto hapa Bungoma hatutaki. Mheshimiwa Connie, chukua bag yako na uende polepole. Sisi mambo yako hatutaki,” Wamboka said.

The Bumula MP escalated his attack on Ruto’s allies, accusing them of lacking grassroots support in Western Kenya and urging residents to back Sifuna’s presidential ambitions.

“Namwomba mahali tumefika msimame na kijana wetu Sifuna. Sisi hatutishiki, sisi hatubanduki. Wale Wakristo, mtuombee maombi yenu ndiyo tunataka. Tuko tayari kupigana. Haijalishi Ruto atakuja hapa mara ngapi. Nasikia next week anakuja. Yeye atanunua tu wale ndugu zetu wawili,” Wamboka said.

Meanwhile, in Kiharu, People’s Party leader Ndindi Nyoro renewed his criticism of President Ruto over the proposed sale of shares in the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), accusing the Head of State of prioritising private business interests over those of ordinary Kenyans.

Nyoro alleged that within a week of the KPC shares being sold, Dangote and Ruto had gained Ksh.16 billion while the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and Kenyan workers had lost a similar amount.

He further accused Ruto of directing the management of NSSF, the Public Service Superannuation Fund (PSSF) and the Policyholders Compensation Fund (PCF) to sell their stakes to his business associates. 

Nyoro also claimed the President had interests in the fuel trade as Kenyans continued to grapple with high pump prices.

The Kiharu MP also accused Ruto’s allies of sowing divisions in the Mount Kenya region, insisting that its leaders were united in their opposition to Kenya Kwanza ahead of the 2027 elections.

Nyoro vowed to push for the publication of the government’s investment agreement with Dangote Refinery, arguing that transparency was necessary to protect Kenya’s interests.