Leaders in Kajiado clash over protocol at Janet Teyiaa's burial

There was tension on Friday, during the burial of the late Janet Teyiaa, a former Kajiado women representative, as political differences emerged between leaders who support President William Ruto and those of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Protocol issues also emerged on who should speak first between nominated Senator PerisTobiko and Kajiado County Women’s Representative Leah Sangaire.

Trouble started when Kajiado West Member of Parliament who was acting as the master of ceremonies invited Senator Tobiko to address the more than five thousand mourners before Sangaire.

For almost five minutes, the podium remained without a speaker as leaders protested a breach of government protocol.

However, when she took to the podium, Tobiko appealed to the leaders to respect each other and to stop blackmailing each other during such events.

''People should know '' heshima si utumwa'' respect is not being a slave, we are all here as leaders and we should respect each other. Who does not now that i sit in the upper house? Parliament protocol should not be breached'' said Tobiko.

Tobiko said she was amazed to see that leaders who overturned the late Teyiaa's victory during the 2022 UDA nominations were the ones pretending that they assisted her.

Tobiko referred his speech to the words of South African Julius Malema during the burial of the late Winnie Mandela.

''Mama, those who overturned your victory during the party nominations are here with us; they are pretending to be good to you,'' said Tobiko.

Kajiado North Member of Parliament Onesmus Ngogoyo said if the late Teyiaa was not denied her victory during the 2022 election, she would be serving the people of Kajiado before her death.

''I want to be on record that we all know who denied Mama Teyiaa her victory, and some are here with us, they should be ashamed today as we lay her to rest'' said Ngogoyo.

However, Kajiado governor Joseph Ole Lenku pleaded with the leaders to forgive each other and work together for the betterment of the Kajiado people.

He said whatever happened during the last general election should not be used to divide the leaders.

''I'm appealing to all leaders, whether in National Government or County, we are all leaders and we were elected to serve our people, wrangles will not help us serve the people of Kajiado, let's bury the hatchet and move on'' pleaded the county boss.

The wrangle comes barely three days after another showdown last Sunday when former Deputy President Rihathi Gachagua visited Teyiaa home to console the family.

Leaders almost went fiscal after Kajiado Senator Seki Kanar was invited to speak before Women's Representative Sangaire.

The political differences continue as President William Ruto and his former ally-turned-rival, Rigathi Gachagua, are locked in a fierce struggle for political control in Kajiado County.

Ruto’s camp appears increasingly alarmed by a growing wave of defections towards Gachagua, who is vigorously working to win over more than 460,000 voters in the diverse county. The move is seen as part of his strategy to lay the groundwork for the 2027 elections.

Teyiaa passed away on Monday after ailing for a while. She got disabled through polio at the age of five, but overcame the challenge and was first nominated to Parliament in 2013 by the Jubilee Party.

The governor said the late Teyiaa was more than just a leader, a trailblazer, as both a nominated and later elected Member of Parliament.

“She rose through the ranks of leadership with grace, resilience, and unwavering commitment,” said Lenku.

 The governor noted that despite the personal challenges she faced as a person living with a disability, Teyiaa became a powerful voice for women, youth, and people with disabilities, never allowing her limitations to define her service.