CS Muturi heckled in Embu as mourners reject President Ruto's message

Rage over abductions and pressure to have those abducted released continued to rise, with Embu residents rejecting President William Ruto’s condolence message as a show of displeasure.

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi found himself in trouble when mourners shouted him down as he prepared to present Ruto's condolence message at the burial of Eric Mutugi, son of former Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti.

"I have been given a message of condolence from His Excellency the President…"Muturi began, but the mourners had reservations.

"Nimetoa yangu, si ni kweli? Mimi pale nimefika mwisho, nimesema niko na ujumbe wa Rais. Nisome, nisisome?" He posed.

The CS needed to be sure, yielding to his long-held Speaker’s experience as mourners booed him.

In response, he said, "I have been advised wisely, you know, as a formerSspeaker, nimeskia hiyo kura ya makelele…"

CS Muturi was forced to yield to the mourners’ demands, handing over the condolence message to the Kivuti family.

This is the second time in two months that residents of Embu have expressed their displeasure with President Ruto publicly.

They did so in mid-November last year during the consecration and installation of Bishop Peter Kimani Ndung'u as the Catholic Bishop of Embu.

Back in Kanyuambora, leaders called out the government and the National Police Service over the unresolved cases of abduction, wondering how an entire government has been unable to provide answers to affected families.

"Kijana wa Embu ametekwa nyara, kijana Mukunji ndiye anaongea, gavana wa Embu amenyamaza, Seneta amenyamaza, Mbunge amenyamaza. Huyu mtoto wa Embu tunataka kuuliza Rais na serikali, huyu kijana mlete nyumbani, na kama mumeua yeye mleteni tuzike,” said former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Kiraitu Murungi added: "Are there stones which are so heavy that the government is unable to know who is abducting our children? Have the stones become so heavy, Bwana Muturi, that we cannot know where these children are, whether they are dead or alive?"

CS Muturi also questioned how the government has been unable to resolve the recent spate of abductions, where at least six families have been looking for their sons for nearly two weeks to no avail.

"We must own up to our own inefficiencies where they are pointed out or where they occur. We cannot be here saying the great things of a young soul, then the other day others are being taken every day. We cannot say we don’t know. We are government. I am actually surprised…,” he said.

Billy Mwangi, a 24-year-old young man, was abducted at a barbershop in Embu four days before Christmas. His family has been seeking answers both in Embu and Nairobi to no avail.