Winnie Odinga warns Osoro against threatening Kenyans after funeral crowd backlash
By Aloys Michael, May 15, 2026East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament Winnie Odinga has warned South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro against using threats and intimidation while addressing Kenyans, saying leaders risk losing public trust if they continue speaking disrespectfully to wananchi.
Speaking on Friday, May 15, 2026, during the funeral service of Mama Teresa Nyaboke, the mother of Kitutu Chache South Member of Parliament (MP) Richard Onyonka, Odinga criticised government politicians for what she described as a tone-deaf approach when engaging citizens.
Referring to the hostile reception Osoro received from mourners during his speech, the EALA MP said leaders needed to change how they communicate with the public.
“Ndugu yangu bwana Osoro, vile nimeona hapa itabidi sisi wageni tukitoka ukuje na sisi kwa sababu mambo yenu sioni kama itatoboa,” she stated.
“The problem that I’m seeing here is that viongozi hapa Kenya, sana sana wenye wako Serikali hawajui kuongea na watu. Kama wewe ni kiongozi, lazima uongee na watu kwa heshima. Si kila unasema, ‘nitakutisha, nitakumaliza’, hapana bana. We’re also human beings,” she added.
Odinga also criticised the government over the state of the economy, accusing leaders of focusing more on politics than addressing the struggles facing ordinary Kenyans.
She pointed to the rising cost of fuel, the country’s growing debt burden, unemployment among the youth and the closure of businesses as indicators that the economy was worsening.
“Jana niliona bei ya mafuta imepanda. Juzi niliskia deni ya Kenya imepita Ksh10 trillion. The economy is in bad shape. Vijana hawana kazi. Mabiashara zimefungwa na nyinyi hamna focus. You need to talk less and work more,” she stated.
The EALA MP further said the National Treasury should prioritise protecting the interests of Kenyans instead of serving political agendas.
“The National Treasury is not a political office, it’s not a personal office, it’s not a platform for you to abuse us and talk to us however you want. Kazi ya hiyo ofisi ni kulinda thamani ya pesa ya wananchi. As public servants, let’s pay more attention to people on the ground,” she added.
On his part, during the same funeral service, Osoro came under criticism from sections of mourners after claiming that rival politicians often maintain cordial relations behind the scenes despite public confrontations.
“Sifuna, Babu Owino, mimi niliingia siasa pamoja na nyinyi. Tulikuwa pamoja. Hawa wananchi hawajui, tunapigana hapa na tukitoka tunaenda pamoja,” he said amid boos from mourners.
The South Mugirango MP also challenged opposition leaders, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, to present their agenda for Kenyans instead of repeatedly chanting the “Ruto must go” slogan.
“Kusema aende nyumbani haiwezekani,” Osoro remarked.
He further sparked anger after announcing President William Ruto’s contribution during the funeral, drawing protests from sections of the crowd.
“Mheshimiwa Ruto alinipatia contribution yako, si yenu, nyinyi ngoja matanga ya kwenu,” he stated as mourners shouted back in protest.