Stop nonsensical slogans — Bishop Ong’injo lectures MPs in fiery Seme burial address
By Mustafa Juma, May 2, 2026Anglican Bishop Charles Ong’injo has delivered a sharp rebuke to Members of Parliament (MPs) attending a burial ceremony in Seme, Kisumu County, urging them to abandon political slogans and focus on pressing national challenges affecting ordinary Kenyans.
Speaking on Saturday, May 2, 2026, during the burial of Mzee Eliud Nyikal Okaka, the father of Seme Member of Parliament James Nyikal, Bishop Ong’injo expressed concern over what he termed misplaced political priorities amid worsening economic and social pressures.
The emotional service brought together family members, clergy, and political leaders from across the region, but it was the Bishop’s sermon that drew the most attention for its direct criticism of national leadership.
Nonsensical political sloganeering
The Bishop challenged leaders to shift their attention from political branding and rivalry slogans to issues affecting education, healthcare, and livelihoods.
“I am pleading with our members of parliament: stop nonsensical political sloganeering. Address the issues of the people. People are suffering,” he said.
His remarks appeared to reference ongoing political chants and rival slogans such as “wantam” and “tutam”, which have been circulating in political discourse.
Education crisis and teacher transfers
Bishop Ong’injo raised concern over disruptions in the education sector, citing frequent and unexplained transfers of school administrators.
He pointed to reported irregularities in Kisumu and Siaya counties, where he said head teachers and principals had been moved without clear justification.
He also claimed that some administrators were being forced to pay for transfers to more desirable schools, calling the practice deeply unfair and corrupt.
“Today you will tell us about wantam and tutam. Even as you tell us that, tell us what is going to happen to our children who are in crisis in schools. Even as you say that, tell us about the health crisis we have faced as a country. I talk with passion about education because it is what this Mzee stood for,” Ong’injo said.
“Transfers of teachers in schools. Last week, in Kisumu Central, primary school head teachers were transferred left, right and centre without a justifiable cause. And do you know some primary school head teachers are paying money to go to good schools? Siaya County has had high school principal transfers, and if you look at them, they are not genuine.”
Cost of living pressures
The Bishop also highlighted rising fuel and energy costs, questioning government explanations that price increases were linked to development progress.
“When fuel prices went up, we were told our fuel is higher because we are more developed than our neighbours. The last time I checked, fuel prices in the USA are almost half what we are paying here. So the USA is not developed like us?” he posed.
He further criticised earlier promises on household energy costs, saying reductions in gas prices had not materialised as expected.
“We forget very fast. There was a time we were told our mothers would no longer cook using firewood. That gas will reduce to Ksh500. The last time I checked, it increased by over Ksh500,” he said.
Criticism of MPs and oversight role
In one of the strongest sections of his address, Bishop Ong’injo accused MPs of failing in their oversight role and instead becoming political cheerleaders.
He urged legislators to ensure budgeted funds reach intended public projects and deliver real impact to citizens.
“Members of Parliament, stop being a choir and a chorus. Do your job. You are supposed to provide oversight. When you have budgeted, make sure that the budget reaches where it is supposed to reach so that it serves the common man,” Ong’injo remarked.
Youth unemployment and handouts
The bishop also linked rising youth unemployment to growing dependence on political handouts, warning that economic hardship was driving young people into cycles of dependency.
“You know, the many reasons why our young men are running after you for handouts are because life is very difficult. There are no jobs,” he said.
He criticised what he described as a culture of distributing small cash handouts during political events, saying it undermines dignity and long-term development.
Funeral disrupted
Bishop Ong’injo’s fiery address came after a group of rowdy individuals stormed the front area while chanting political slogans during the funeral service.
The wild chants, with some targeting Siaya Governor James Orengo, started after Kisumu West Constituency Member of Parliament Rosa Buyu took to the stage.
Attempts by local leaders, including Kisumu Governor James Orengo, to intervene failed to calm them down, as only a few leaders were allowed to speak afterwards.
Governor Gladys Wanga was among those who spoke after the disruption and called on the residents to support the broad-based government arrangement ahead of the 2027 polls.
She highlighted various development projects launched in the region, insisting that President William Ruto deserves support for his second-term re-election bid.
However, Governor Orengo, who has been critical of the Oburu Odinga-led ODM faction, failed to speak with preliminary reports indicating that he was forced to leave during the disruption.