- Edwin Sifuna says he has forgiven police officers after being denied a chance to address mourners at Lazarus Opicho’s burial
- The Nairobi senator blamed President William Ruto for the incident, claiming his administration was responsible for restrictions on political expression
- Sifuna said Linda Mwananchi wants to restore the rule of law and freedom of speech if it formed the next government
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has reacted after being denied a chance to address mourners at the burial of Senior Assistant Inspector General (SAIG) of Police Lazarus Opicho in Trans Nzoia County.
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Sifuna, who was among the Linda Mwananchi-aligned leaders expected to speak at the funeral on Friday, October 16, said he had forgiven the security officers involved in the decision to bar some politicians from addressing the gathering.
The senator only addressed residents who had gathered at the venue after senior dignitaries and the funeral procession had departed for Opicho’s home for the final burial rites.
Why did Sifuna say he had forgiven the police?
The funeral brought together senior security officials, government representatives and politicians, including Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat, Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service Gilbert Masengeli, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and several opposition-aligned leaders.
The Nairobi senator appeared to blame President William Ruto for what he described as restrictions on political leaders’ freedom to speak at the funeral.
“Let them know that we, as Linda Mwananchi, have forgiven them for whatever they have done here. Because we know their boss (Ruto) is the one to blame. If Masengeli had allowed us to speak here, they could have all been fired today,” Sifuna said.
Sifuna argued that the incident demonstrated why his political faction wanted to restore the rule of law and freedom of expression if it formed the next government.
The lawmaker, who has expressed interest in the 2027 presidential race, said Kenyans should not live in fear of losing their jobs because they criticise the government or associate with opposition leaders.
“We don’t want our people to live in fear, that if you criticise the government or are seen around opposition leaders, you are fired from your job,” Sifuna said.
How did SAIG Opicho burial turn into a confrontation?
The tension began when Bumula MP Jack Wamboka deviated from eulogising the deceased to criticise the government and accuse security officers of bias against opposition figures. Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale also addressed political issues during his speech.
Police subsequently announced that no further political leaders would be allowed to speak. Principal Deputy to the Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service Masoud Mwinyi took charge of the programme and urged those who had prepared speeches to accept the decision.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura also intervened after Wamboka rose again to push for other leaders to be given an opportunity to speak. The MP was eventually removed from the podium.
While some politicians, including Kiminini MP Kakai Bisau and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, later addressed mourners, Sifuna and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi did not speak during the official programme.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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