A requiem mass held at Maburwa Secondary School in Muthaara, Tigania East sub-county, turned into a tense political moment after disagreements among opposition leaders overshadowed the burial ceremony for six victims of bandit attacks in Meru County.

The service held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, brought together senior figures from the united opposition, including Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) deputy party leader Cleophas Malala, former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, and former Meru Governor Peter Munya. Former presidential candidate Martha Karua also attended the ceremony, alongside other regional leaders.

What was meant to be a day of mourning quickly exposed growing political competition in Meru ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial race, where both Linturi and Munya are seen as key contenders within the opposition camp. According to Malala, Munya left the function before the end of the service, a move that triggered sharp reactions from visiting leaders.

Malala criticised the conduct, saying the departure showed disrespect to mourners and guests who had travelled long distances.

“Nimeona jambo lingine nimeshtuka sana hapa… kwamba kiongozi, hapa ni kwake, hii ni ward yake,” he said.

“Hapa ndio sisi tumekuja kumuomboleza… Alafu yeye anatuacha anaturushia mkono. Mweshimiwa Munya tafadhali nikuheshimu, lakini tabia kama hiyo usifanye wakati mwingine mbele ya wageni.”

Linturi reacts

Linturi also spoke about the situation. He also took a firm tone, calling for discipline and respect among leaders while pointing to rising tensions within the group.

“Na niseme sisi kama leaders tuheshimiane. Tuweze kuheshimiana. Hakuna mwenye amekuja hapa kuonyeshana ubabi wa kisiasa, tumekuja kuomboleza,” he said.

“Kwa hivyo wacha niwaombe kukiwa hivo wacha nikuwe MC.”

Linturi went on to highlight the presence of visiting leaders, including Malala and Martha Karua, saying their attendance showed solidarity that should not be undermined by political rivalry.

“Hatuwezi kuwa na DCP Deputy Party Leader Malala, ametoka all the way from Kakamega.. Martha Karua ameenda… Kwani hatuwezi ata ruhusu watu wasalimiane?” he said.

He added that leaders needed to avoid what he called pride, warning that divisions were hurting the region.

“Ile kiburi nimeona hapa, hapana, haiwezi! Na ndio maana Meru imefika hapa mahali iko,” Linturi said.

The exact reason why Munya left the requiem mass remains unclear. He has not issued any public comment on the incident.

Questions emerge over opposition unity in Meru

This signals the growing split between the two Meru heavyweights.

Both Munya and Linturi are positioning themselves for the Meru gubernatorial race in 2027. Their rivalry has intensified in recent months as each hosts separate opposition engagements in the county, seeking to consolidate influence within the same political formation.

The tension at Muthaara came just days before a planned United Opposition tour of Meru and Isiolo counties scheduled for May 20 to 24, 2026, under the“Twende Kazi” slogan.

Munya is expected to play a central role in the tour. Many observers now doubt whether Mithika Linturi will attend.

Linturi has previously hosted United Opposition events in Meru – most notably in early March 2026, when a tour led by Rigathi Gachagua was used to popularise his own gubernatorial ambitions. Peter Munya stayed away from that tour. However, the events at Muthaara have raised questions about how united the opposition remains on the ground in Meru.