Sifuna Launches Fierce Attack On Ruto Government At Mzee Wangamati Funeral
Politics Updated: 30 May 2026 17:57 EAT
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna among the attendee's Khachonge primary school, Kabuchai Constituency for the funeral service of the late Hon. Mzee Patrick Wangamati
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna delivered a highly charged political address during the burial of Mzee Patrick Wangamati Kimingichi in Bungoma County, blending condolence remarks with sharp criticism of national leadership and past political conduct. The event, attended by senior leaders and mourners, became a platform for reflection on politics, governance, and regional unity as Sifuna spoke at length before the grieving family and gathered guests.
Speaking at the funeral, Sifuna opened with a mix of humor and religious acknowledgment, while situating himself within the Catholic community and joking about personal ties. He then briefly tested the attention of the crowd before identifying himself and shifting into a broader appreciation of those present. In his remarks, he emphasized respect for the gathering and gratitude for mourners who came to support the Wangamati family during their period of loss.
“Asante sana Mheshimiwa Majimbo kwa sababu ya muda nataka niwe mfupi sana. Kwanza kwa kanisa langu Katoliki, Bishop Kadima, nataka mjue Bishop Kadima ni mwanzi wangu eh nimeoa msichana wa kwao so nikiharibu program naweza pata fine kubwa sana lakini nataka niseme hivi: nataka nisimame hapa ndio niwaulize kama mnaniona vizuri. Mnaniona vizuri? Mnaniona vizuri? Mimi ndio Sifuna. Nimesikia mkisema hapa nyinyi ni kina nani? Hata nyinyi. Nataka nichukue fursa hii kusema asanteni sana kwa kuja kwenye hafla hii ya kumfariji ndugu yetu. Ndugu yetu Mheshimiwa Wangamati.”
The senator then reflected on the legacy of the late Mzee Wangamati, describing him as a calm and influential elder who played a stabilizing role in political tensions within the opposition, particularly during earlier disputes in the ODM political formation. He credited the deceased with encouraging dialogue among leaders from the Mulembe community and promoting unity between different groups in Western Kenya.
“Wewe unajua mzee alikuwa rafiki yetu sisi wote wakati ambapo shida zilianza ndani ya chama cha ODM vile Mheshimiwa Osotsi amewaambia mzee wa Ngamati pamoja na hawa wazee wengine wa jamii ya Mlembe walituita sisi pale Kakamega na nataka niseme pole sana kwa sababu mzee alikuwa anatushauri polepole. Mzee was very patient with us kwa sababu anajua sisi vijana damu yetu ni moto. Na mzee alikuwa anatushauri kwa upole anatuambia ya kwamba tuweze kuwekelewa huo ule uhusiano ambao umekuwepo kati ya sisi Waluhya na jamii ya Mlembe wote waweze kukaa pamoja.”
Sifuna also used the platform to criticize Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, accusing him of engaging in transactional politics and accusing some leaders of misleading voters. He argued that modern leadership should prioritize development over short-term financial inducements, saying such practices distort democratic accountability and weaken public trust in elected officials.
“Huyu ndugu yetu Mheshimiwa Didmus tumemzoea wakati ambapo tumemzoea hii vipindi tumezoea. Mimi nimekuwa kwa siasa miaka mingi ati wakati Sifuna anasimama kuongea yeye anatoka anaenda kupangisha watu line wa kule 200. Hii ndio siasa tunataka tuache nyuma katika taifa hili letu la Kenya. Wakati ambapo kura muhimu zinakuja mbele ya Bunge ya kuwekelewa ushuru kwa wananchi anawaumiza nyinyi yeye anapiga 'yes' alafu anaingia KCB Bank ya Bungoma anachukua 2002 anakuja naye kwa matanga ati agawe nyinyi kwani nyinyi ni wajinga namna gani? Tunataka tuwaambie hiyo siasa imepitwa na wakati saa hii tunataka tuweke maslahi ya wananchi wetu mbele.”
The senator further addressed the demolition controversy involving property linked to the Wangamati family, alleging inconsistency in how development disputes are handled by authorities. He questioned why promises of “win-win” solutions made during previous campaigns were not applied uniformly, arguing that selective enforcement has undermined investor confidence in regional development projects.
“Mzee Wangamati amekuwa mgonjwa kwa sababu mambo ambayo yalimfanyikia huyu mzee wakati wamebomoa nyumba yake. William Ruto na hawa akina Didmus hawa wakisimama kukampain 2022 walituambia hakuna ubomozi utafanyika Kenya ati kama kuna shida na shamba watatafuta solution ili walikuwa wanaitwa 'win-win'. Kwa nini hawakumpea Mheshimiwa Wangamati 'win-win' kwa nini? Wanapea wengine 'win-win' wanabomoa ya Wangamati hapa Bungoma tukijaribu kuwekeza katika kaunti zetu?”
Attention also turned to the recent tragedy at Utumishi Girls Senior Secondary School, where multiple students died in a dormitory fire. Sifuna expressed concern over safety standards in schools, questioning the enforcement of regulations and the oversight role of education authorities. He said the tragedy reflected systemic failures that must be urgently addressed to protect learners.
“Tumekuja hapa Bungoma wakati taifa zima liko ndani ya huzuni kwa sababu ya kisa ambacho kilifanyika pale katika shule ya Utumishi. Watoto wetu wadogo wachanga sana zaidi ya wasichana 16 wamekufa ndani ya moto pale Utumishi na ukiangalia ripoti ambayo tunapata wanachukua watoto 200 wanajaza ndani ya domu ya watoto 100 mlango wanafungua na mtu anapotea na kifunguo. Wewe niambie kama serikali iko ambayo inajali wananchi na inalinda wananchi. Nchi kisa ambacho kilifanyika Utumishi hakingefanyika. Walikuwa wapi wale ambao kazi yao katika Ministry of Education ni kuhakikisha safety standards are followed within our schools?”
He further escalated his critique to national health policy, referencing debates around infectious disease preparedness and questioning government readiness. Sifuna argued that Kenya should not accept policies that he believes could expose citizens to unnecessary health risks, insisting that public safety must take priority over external agreements or political decisions.
“Jana tunaambiwa juzi ya kwamba Wamarekani wamekataa citizens wao wenyewe ambao wako na Ebola wasiingie Marekani. The Americans themselves are sending away their own citizens who have been affected by Ebola. Lakini mkora mmoja hapa Kenya kwa sababu amepatiwa pesa anasema tuletewe hawa wagonjwa wa Ebola hapa Kenya. Mimi nataka nimwambie Mheshimiwa William Ruto hiyo hatutakubaliana na wewe. Haya mambo yote ambayo umefanya vile mjumbe mmoja amezungumza hapa tuachie uhai wetu tupambane na hali yetu.”
Sifuna also attacked economic governance, particularly in agriculture, alleging corruption and restrictive permit systems affecting sugarcane farmers in the Nzoia region. He described frustrations among farmers over delays and alleged bribery in licensing processes, arguing that such practices are harming local production and increasing dependence on imports.
“Hapa Nzoia nimekuwa naongea na wakulima leo wananiambia leo ndio miwa yako ikatwe ati unahitaji permit na unahitaji uhonge mtu ndiye akupatie hiyo permit ya kukata miwa wakati miwa walikuwa wanapambania pale nyuma wameingiza sukari zimejaa kwa magala ya Nzoia. Hawana haja na miwa yetu wanataka kuuza sukari ambayo wameingiza kigali kwa hivyo hii serikali ni serikali dhalimu na tunataka tuseme hatutakubaliana na nyinyi huwezi kutuugandamiza na uweze kututawala pia.”
In concluding his remarks, Sifuna called for national political outreach and unity-building across ethnic and regional lines, saying leaders must broaden their support base through engagement rather than division. He insisted that political competition should be anchored in ideas and service delivery rather than ethnic loyalty or intimidation.
“Sisi tutatembea Kenya nzima tuwatafutie marafiki nyinyi. Hakuna kabila ambaye imewahi kosea Sifuna. Mtu anakukosea individually. Nyinyi kuna watu mnasema nisiongee nao. Nitafute marafiki Kenya nzima tuende Ukambani kesho. Twende Mlima Kenya pia tuombe kura huko. Eh kama kule mzima kuja kuimeta. Asanteni sana na Mungu awabariki.”
The funeral ended with continued political interactions among leaders, even as the Wangamati family and mourners paid final respects to the late Mzee Patrick Wangamati Kimingichi, whose legacy of community engagement and political mentorship was widely acknowledged throughout the ceremony.
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FELIX MAKONA
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