Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has pledged that the Linda Mwananchi movement will not disrupt funerals or public meetings, even when its members are provoked or disrespected.
Speaking during the requiem mass for the late diplomat and former Cabinet member Mzee Burudi Nabwera at Friends Church Langata, Sifuna said the movement had no intention of disrupting public gatherings, including funerals.
“So, maybe I want to make a commitment on behalf of Linda Mwananchi. Whenever our political opponents see us at an event, even if it is a funeral, they all start preaching peace,” Sifuna said.
He said the movement would remain disciplined and avoid disrupting events, even when its members felt they had been treated unfairly.
Sifuna cited the funeral of Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police Lazarus Opicho, where he and other political leaders were denied an opportunity to address mourners.
“Even when we are disrespected, the way we were disrespected at Opicho’s burial, we sat there, allowed them to carry away the body, and we spoke to the people. It will not be Linda Mwananchi,” he said.
Sifuna said discipline was important for leaders seeking to shape the country’s political direction, adding that the movement intended to redirect political debates towards issues affecting Kenyans.
“We have understood that without discipline, we are going away as leaders in this country,” he said.
His remarks come days after he and other leaders were denied an opportunity to speak at Opicho’s funeral in Trans Nzoia County on October 16.
Opicho, who died on September 28 at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi after a short illness, was buried at his rural home in Sirende, Wehoya Village.
The burial ceremony and final prayer service were held at Maili Saba Grounds before the body was taken to the family home for burial.
Until his death, Opicho was the commandant of the Security of Government Buildings and VIP Protection Unit in the Administration Police Service. He had previously served as the pioneer commandant of the Judiciary Police Unit.
At the funeral, the master of ceremonies, Principal Deputy to the Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service Masoud Mwinyi, announced that only selected leaders and senior government officials would address mourners.
He asked those who would not be given an opportunity to speak to accept the decision and rely on remarks made by their colleagues.
Sifuna also addressed concerns about political leaders associating with people from different regions, saying leaders should be free to engage with Kenyans across the country.
He said the country had been founded on a shared national identity and argued that political leaders should present their policies to all Kenyans rather than be restricted by regional divisions.
“Yesterday (Sunday), some people saw me somewhere with someone, and somehow they are telling us that there is a region in this country where none of us is supposed to associate with,” he said.
Sifuna said the movement intended to keep political discussions focused on the issues of the day rather than allow disagreements to derail its agenda.
