Embattled Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa who is staring at losing her Parliamentary seat after being expelled from the opposition party Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) shocked mourners during a burial ceremony of the late Mombasa Deputy Governor William Kingi’s father when she stopped ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna from addressing the public and snatching the microphone from him.
Mr Sifuna had introduced himself as the messenger of ODM leader Raila Odinga, who had sent him to convey his message of condolence to the family of the late Edward Benjamin Kingi.
SIFUNA has just learnt how powerful and influential Aisha Jumwa is. The PEOPLE are with her. He couldn’t believe it. pic.twitter.com/Y27lvldHM2— Brian Khaniri (@BKhaniri) May 3, 2019
However as he was speaking, Ms Jumwa, who was the master of ceremonies, stopped him from taking his conversation further, walked to the stage and grabbed the microphone from him, accusing him of “talking politics during the funeral”.
This comes after a constant message from different legislators and head of state who have urged politicians to keep politics out of funeral which have become an ideal battleground for political titans.
Mr Sifuna had begun his speech by stressing the need for the Orange party to be respected.
“As a messenger, I request to be given the respect the party leader would have been accorded. I have party responsibilities, and I do them without fear or favour. Sifuna did not make the law, and I am not targeting anybody,” he said.
It is at this point that Ms Jumwa shot up from her seat and confronted Mr Sifuna, stating: “Mr SG, kindly refrain from politics out of respect for the dead. We are not here for ODM politics but to condole with the bereaved.”
“We shall not allow this; respect the Mijikenda. Find another platform and speak about issues relating to ODM. We are here to mourn the dead and not politics,” she said as the crowd shouted, some voicing support and others jeering her.
As the drama unfolded, leaders present including Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi, Kilifi North MP Owen Baya, Michael Kingi (Magarini), Teddy Mwambire (Ganze), Kwale Senator Juma Boy and Likoni MP Mishi Mboko watched pensively.