Leaders deny role in heckling of Matiang’i

Posted by: The People in National July 25, 2013 0 93 Views

By PERIZ MOKUA

Kisii deputy Governor Joash Maangi has denied claims that Cord leaders hired youth to heckle ICT Cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i and former minister Prof Sam Ongeri during a requiem mass for 15 school bus accident victims at Gusii Stadium.  Some County Reps had alleged the hecklers were ferried to the stadium from neighbouring counties to disrupt the mass.

The students and teachers were killed two weeks ago on the Itumbe-Igare road as they headed for sports at Nyamachae in Gucha district.  However, Maang’i said emotions were high and leaders, including Kisii Governor James Ongwae, were forced to cut short their speeches because mourners wanted to be addressed by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

“Nobody could hire people to disrupt a prayer service for our departed brothers and sisters. The mood changed suddenly when Raila arrived at the venue. It was even difficult for him to view the bodies because he was surrounded by thousands of mourners,” said Maang’i.  He said Kisii is one of Raila’s strongholds and his supporters were excited to see him because he has not visited the region since he lost the March 4 presidential election.

South Mugirango MP Manson Nyamweya also said mourners wanted to be addressed by Raila because of the “overwhelming support they gave him in last polls”. “The gathering simply wanted to be addressed by the former PM. They did not wish any leader to speak and the heckling was unplanned. The service was not a political platform and we were equally embarrassed because they did not want to acknowledge greetings even from ODM leaders,” said Nyamweya.

However, some mourners claimed they were disappointed because President Uhuru Kenyatta skipped the function. They said they wanted to see him in person and thank him for the support the Jubilee government had given to the affected families.  “Uhuru ordered the airlifting of the accident victims with serious injuries to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) for specialised treatment.

We wanted to appreciate his kind gesture of promising to clear the hospital and mortuary bills and cater for funeral expenses,” said Mary Mokeira, one of the mourners who turned up for the mass at the satdium. President Uhuru Kenyatta had postponed the event from Monday to enable him attend only to cancel the planned trip at the last minute.

Mokeira blamed Kitutu Chache North MP Jimmy Angwenyi for allegedly advising the President not to attend because he had differed with organising committee on the venue of the prayer service.  Angwenyi wanted the service to be held at Marani Secondary playground because the five affected schools were from Marani district.