Bumula MP Boniface Otsiula (in black t-shirt) pleads with Bishop Robert Magina to allow leaders and politicians at his mother's burial to address mourners. [Photo/nation.co.ke]
Drama ensued at a burial ceremony in Bungoma after a Bishop stopped a governor and other politicians from campaigning.
The burial was for Bumula MP Boniface Otsiula’s mother.
Bishop Robert Magina of the Anglican Church of Kenya (Nambale Diocese) had earlier warned the politicians against using the function to campaign.
He said he will not allow anyone to turn the burial event into a political rally.
Drama started when Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama attempted to take over the programme and invited his colleague to speak.
The bishop grabbed the microphone from the MP’s hand and asked mourners to proceed to the grave side.
Efforts by other politicians present to convince the Bishop to allow them to speak bore no fruit.
“Politicians should organise their own meetings, where they can politick and do their other stuff, but we can’t allow that [at] this burial ceremony,” said Bishop Magina.
The politicians present were Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, Woman Representative Reginalda Wanyonyi, MPs Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), Benson Momanyi (Borabu) and nominated MP Patrick Wangamati.
Others were Bungoma gubernatorial aspirant Wycliffe Wangamati, senatorial aspirants Juma Mukhwana and David Makali and woman rep aspirant Maria Nato.