Dennis Lumiti 

Deputy President William Ruto and kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya  were booed on Saturday in Matungu constituency when they attempted to galvanise support for their respective candidates in an impending by-election.. 

Ruto came face-to-face with reality on the ground after crowds attending a funeral  in the area jeered and heckled him and his entourage.

So was Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, who encountered a rough time as he campaigned for David Were of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

Drama ensued at the home of Paul Posho, a former advisor to Oparanya, during the burial of his mother, when mourners heckled Ruto and local politicians campaigning for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party candidate Alex Wamukoya Lanya.

Never reciprocate

Efforts by Ruto allies, led by Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali and former Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa to address the mourners were drowned by boos from the mourners chanting, “thieves!” 

A visibly angry Ruto said he was frustrated because he was now convinced that “Luhyas only come to him when they need his help” but will never reciprocate.

“I have now discovered that people who come from here to see me use the backdoor. They do not tell me the truth,” he said.

Trouble started when  Tanga Tanga politicians accused Lugari MP Ayub Savula of trying to demean the Deputy President.

Echesa had stoked the hornet’s nest when he attempted to campaign for Lanya and started threatening some leaders.

“I am warning you Savula, if you stand here and insult the Deputy President I will deal with you,” he said amid jeers from the mourners.

But Savula took Echesa head-on, and told him he did not have any capacity to threaten him.

He dared Echesa to vie for any political position and win.

Legislator further called on the Ruto to support Amani National Congress party leader Musalia Mudavadi’s presidential bid in 2022, amid cheers from the mourners.

On sensing rising tension Washiali said he had no issue with the ANC candidate in the by-election Peter Oscar Nabulindo.

Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale at a separate forum in Matungu took a swipe Mudavadi for allegedly always allowing himself to be cheated at every election.

Elsewhere, Oparanya urged locals to desist from tribal politics and elect leaders based on their track record and ability to deliver.

His remarks were in response to chanting crowds that claimed Were, whom he was campaigning for, was not a native of Matungu.