Winnie Odinga warns Osoro against threatening Kenyans amid funeral drama

Speaking during the funeral service of Mama Teresa Nyaboke, the mother of Richard Onyonka, Odinga singled out South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro following the hostile reception he received from mourners during his speech.

According to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP, leaders need to change how they communicate with the public and stop using threats and intimidation while engaging wananchi.

“Ndugu yangu bwana Osoro, vile nimeona hapa itabidi sisi wageni tukitoka ukuje na sisi kwa sababu mambo yenu sioni kama itatoboa,” she stated.

“The problem that I’m seeing here is that viongozi hapa Kenya, sana sana wenye wako Serikali hawajui kuongea na watu. Kama wewe ni kiongozi, lazima uongee na watu kwa heshima. Si kila unasema, ‘nitakutisha, nitakumaliza’, hapana bana. We’re also human beings,” she added.

Odinga also turned her attention to the state of the economy, faulting government officials for focusing on politics instead of addressing the economic challenges facing Kenyans.

She cited the recent rise in fuel prices, the country’s debt burden, unemployment among the youth and closure of businesses as signs that the economy was struggling.

“Jana niliona bei ya mafuta imepanda. Juzi niliskia deni ya Kenya imepita Ksh.10 trillion. The economy is in bad shape. Vijana hawana kazi. Mabiashara zimefungwa na nyinyi hamna focus. You need to talk less and work more,” she stated.

The EALA MP further stressed that the National Treasury should serve the interests of Kenyans rather than political interests.

“The National Treasury is not a political office, it’s not a personal office, it’s not a platform for you to abuse us and talk to us however you want. Kazi ya hiyo ofisi ni kulinda thamani ya pesa ya wananchi. As public servants, let’s pay more attention to people on the ground,” she added.

During the same event, Osoro drew criticism from sections of the crowd after claiming that politicians who publicly clash often interact privately without hostility.

“Sifuna, Babu Owino, mimi niliingia siasa pamoja na nyinyi. Tulikuwa pamoja. Hawa wananchi hawajui, tunapigana hapa na tukitoka tunaenda pamoja,” he said amid boos from mourners.

The South Mugirango MP also challenged opposition leaders, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, to outline their agenda for Kenyans instead of solely rallying around the “Ruto must go” slogan.

“Kusema aende nyumbani haiwezekani,” Osoro remarked.

He further stirred the crowd after announcing President William Ruto’s contribution during the funeral, prompting angry reactions from mourners.

“Mheshimiwa Ruto alinipatia contribution yako, si yenu, nyinyi ngoja matanga ya kwenu,” he stated as sections of the crowd shouted back in protest.