- Bumula MP Jack Wamboka remained seated and declined to greet National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula at a Nairobi Requiem Mass
- A video from the event captured the moment, which drew mixed reactions online over Wamboka's conduct towards the Speaker
- The two sit on opposite sides of the political divide ahead of the 2027 General Election
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Bumula Member of Parliament Jack Wamboka sparked online debate after he appeared to snub National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula at a Requiem Mass held in Nairobi on Wednesday, October 21.
The service was held in honour of the late Burudi Nabwera, a Kenyan politician and diplomat who served as Kenya's ambassador to the United States and permanent representative at the United Nations during the 1960s before transitioning into politics.
Nabwera was elected Lugari MP in 1988, and his son Nabii Nabwera now holds the same seat.
The Moment That Sparked Debate
Video footage from the event shows Wetang'ula moving along the rows of seats, extending greetings to political leaders gathered at the service regardless of their affiliations.
Most leaders rose to meet him warmly, exchanging handshakes, smiles and hugs as other congregants looked on.
Wamboka, however, remained seated in a navy suit and holding a phone as the Speaker reached out his hand.
A photograph from the moment shows Wetang'ula's hand outstretched while Wamboka, unlike those around him, neither rose nor returned the greeting, and appeared to look at the Speaker with disapproval.
Wetang'ula did not linger and continued along the row, where he was received positively by Vihiga senator Godfrey Osotsi, Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga, Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Igonga and former Speaker Francis Ole Kaparo.
Political Fault Lines Behind the Snub
Among the other leaders present at the service were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, under whose political banner Wamboka operates.
The incident reflects a broader political divide. Wetang'ula is aligned with President William Ruto's re-election campaign for 2027, while Wamboka, Sifuna, Osotsi and Kalasinga are among those opposed to the president and backing Sifuna's presidential ambitions through the Linda Mwananchi movement.
The snub drew varied responses online. Some observers described Wamboka's behaviour as discourteous, pointing out that other leaders who equally oppose Wetang'ula politically had still stood to acknowledge him at a funeral service.
Others took a different view, arguing that an MP is within his rights to decline a handshake on his own terms.
The same event drew separate attention after Mudavadi and Wetang'ula were seen leaving the service at the point when Sifuna was invited to address the congregation, though it remained unclear whether the timing of their departure was connected to the senator's scheduled remarks.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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