KENYA : Public Service and Human Capital Development Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi encountered a tough crowd as he attempted to read President Ruto's Message.
Muturi, was Speaking on January 3, 2025, during the burial of Eric Kivuti, the son of former Senator Lenny Kivuti in Embu County.
The event, held on January 3, was marked by an unusual episode of crowd disapproval as the CS attempted to deliver President William Ruto's condolence message.
CS Muturi had just concluded his personal condolence remarks when he informed the crowd about the president's message. However, as he began reading it, murmurs and jeers from the attendees interrupted him.
"I have been given a message of condolence from President William Ruto," Muturi announced, only to be met with audible disquiet from the crowd.
In an attempt to manage the situation, the CS clarified, "I have given my message of condolence to Lenny Kivuti, mine. After that, I want to say that I have received a message of condolence from President William Ruto."
The jeers persisted, prompting Muturi to address the crowd directly. "Should I read it or not?" he asked, eliciting more murmurs.
Exercising restraint and humour, the former National Assembly Speaker referred to the late JJ Kamotho, a veteran politician known for invoking "kura ya makelele" (vote by acclamation), to gauge the mood of the audience.
"This message is to the family of Lenny Kivuti. I have the honour to deliver this message to Lenny Kivuti in public," Muturi stated, opting to conclude his remarks without reading the letter in full.
He then thanked the mourners for attending the ceremony and expressing their solidarity with the bereaved family.
President Ruto, is facing growing disdain from electorate in the vast Mt. Kenya region, which poses a significant challenge to his ambitious plan of hiving off a significant chunk of the region's vote block next election and this is pretty clear to him, after he was heckled in the Region.
President William Ruto encountered a tough reception from attendees of an event in Embu County.
The Head Of State, had graced the Ceremony for the Consecration and installation of Rt. Reverend Peter Kimani as Embu Diocese Bishop, in an event that was also attended by Former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Speaking, Ruto revealed to Uhuru that his administration was working on implementing what they had started during the former Government.
The Crowd however, started Shouting once he mentioned the Affordable Housing Project and the Social Health Authority (SHA), Kenya's new health insurance scheme.
They could not allow him to conclusively elaborate on the two programmes. Their reaction indicated dissatisfaction with the current regime and the policies it formulates.
"At the moment, we want to employ 20,000 teachers to help us move forward. My friend, the fourth president, you left me with the affordable housing programme, and right now, I am focused on it. It is 80% done here in Embu, where we have built 160,000 units. I am pushing that agenda because it will employ the youth and take our country forward." Ruto Said
"We are also focused on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and from here, I will pass by a hospital in Embu to confirm that what we promised the citizens is being implemented," Ruto continued amid the noise.
On the issue of universal healthcare, the President acknowledged challenges in the new health cover, the Social Health Authority, and assured Kenyans that the matter would be resolved following criticism about its rollout from Catholic clerics.
“I want to assure all Kenyans and our bishops seated here that the issues you want us to address in the new health cover will be rectified. Universal health coverage is a must-do because, indeed, it will make a difference and ensure that no citizen is left behind,” the President stated.
It is believed that president Ruto wants to use his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta to re-endear himself to the Mt Kenya electorate in the face of the growing disdain fueled by the impeachment of his Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.
What the President thought a classic move by replacing his deputy, Gachagua with Kithure Kindiki who's also from the region, does not seem to have helped cool resident's disdain for the Head of state.
