Political leaders led by Kwale Governor, Salim Mvurya, walked out of the burial of former Woman Representative Zainab Chizudga after they were denied the chance to address mourners.
Drama started after Mariam Chidzuga, the youngest daughter of the deceased, requested former Cabinet Minister and family spokesman, Chirau Ali Mwakwere, to only allow Agriculture Principal Secretary, Hamadi Boga, to speak.
But during the burial on Friday, August 13, Mwakwere told off politicians noting that the family had been adamant that no politics would be discussed during the former MP's funeral.
His words irked a section of political leaders in attendance with Governor Mvurya leaving his seat, an action that triggered mass exit.
Lands Cabinet Administrative Secretary, Gideon Mung’aro, Kwale Senator Issa Boy, Lungalunga MP Khatib Mwashetani, Kinango MP Benjamin Tayari and former Chief of Defense, Gen. (Rtd.) Samson Mwathethe also walked out in protest.
The action by the politicians triggered a mass exodus by mourners who were believed to be supporters of the leaders.
Chidzuga's family had stated that politicians would not be allowed to address mourners at the burial.
"The burial of our late Hon. Zainab Chidzuga was strictly in accordance with Islamic procedures. We, the family and relatives, did not allow speeches other than H E The President's condolence message and vote of thanks from family members. Real Mourners did not leave, they respected and honoured our decision," Makwere stated.
"Those whom you call 'political leaders' left because they were neither grieving nor mourning with us. Their motive was the politicisation of the burial and funeral, which we firmly rejected," he added.
But her daughter Mwanaisha Chidzuga told Kenyans.co.ke that the family was not opposed to politicians speaking at the funeral.
Mwakwere maintained that the family said the funeral programme, which included speeches from local politicians in Kwale, was done without its consent.
"She is my sister-in-law and none of these people who made the funeral programme was there when she was sick," Mwakwere stated.
The former Minister explained that only the President or his representative would be allowed to speak.
President Kenyatta had cleared all the pending hospital bills for the Woman MP and offered a caravan to airlift the body from Nairobi to Kwale.
Chizudga served as the Kwale Woman Representative between 2013 and 2017. She won the seat on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket.
The former legislator has been eulogized as a devoted and selfless leader by politicians led by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
