Muthoni Marubu. Photo/Courtesy
Political analyst Prof Gitile Naituli has weighed in on the weekend incident in Murang’a where Lamu Woman Representative Muthoni Marubu was jeered and forced to leave a burial ceremony after shouting a “two-term” slogan in the presence of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
In remarks shared on social media, Naituli said while heckling of leaders is wrong and undermines democratic culture, the Murang’a episode reflected a deeper failure of political judgment.
He argued that funerals are solemn communal spaces that demand sensitivity, not partisan mobilisation.
According to Naituli, Murang’a is widely viewed as a stronghold of leaders opposed to the government’s “two-term” narrative, making the decision to introduce slogans at a funeral both predictable and avoidable.
He described the confrontation as an outcome of “political tone-deafness” rather than an isolated act of hostility.
The analyst said Kenyan politics is shaped by context and public mood, warning leaders against assuming that silence in public spaces amounts to approval.
He noted growing public frustration linked to the high cost of living, rising taxes, strained public services, and limited opportunities for young people.
Naituli argued that this anger does not always manifest through protests or rallies, but can surface unexpectedly when citizens feel unheard or disrespected.
He cautioned that dismissing such incidents as mere hooliganism risks ignoring underlying discontent.
Referencing political theory, Naituli warned incumbents against mistaking state power or choreographed support for genuine legitimacy.
He said authority ultimately rests on public trust, not control.
The Murang’a incident, he added, should be read as an early warning as the country edges closer to the 2027 General Election.
He advised leaders to engage communities with humility, listen more than they chant, and respond to concerns with solutions rather than slogans.
According to Naituli, elections often turn private anger into public judgment, making it risky for any administration to ignore shifting public mood.