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Nairobi County Senator Edwin Sifuna on Friday, January 3, 2025, expressed shock at some of the statements made at the burial ceremony of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s mother in Bungoma County.

In a statement, Sifuna stated that he was more worried about President William Ruto if he consumes pieces of advice shared by some leaders who attended the funeral.

The vocal Nairobi senator explained that a narrative spewed by some leaders at the funeral regarding the limitations of freedom of speech was wrong.

Article 33 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, including the right to seek, receive, and share information and ideas. However, it also limits this freedom to certain activities, such as propaganda for war, incitement to violence, hate speech, and advocacy of hatred that constitutes ethnic incitement, vilification of others, or incitement to cause harm.

Sifuna made it clear that trying to insinuate that the limits could be extended beyond those listed in the constitution was not applicable in the country.

“I have been shocked beyond words by some of the speeches here in Bungoma County.

“If those who spoke are the people he listens to, Ruto is in more trouble than he knows. Freedom of speech cannot be limited beyond the limitations in Article 33,” Sifuna’s statement read in part.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi was among the leaders who condemned the irresponsible use of social media while calling for appropriate action to be taken against those found culpable.

Policies are the problem

While reprimanding the leaders for their suggestion on dealing with social media criticisms, Sifuna boldly claimed that the Kenya Kwanza government was facing mounting opposition due to its policies.

Sifuna, who doubles up as ODM Secretary General, indicated that some Kenya Kwanza policies were unpopular and most of them were detrimental to the citizens.

“Even that Computer Misuse law those ignorant leaders have cited is unconstitutional. Social media is not the problem. The problem is the policies of this regime that continue to hurt Kenyans,” Sifuna added.

Bitter exchange

The funeral had its share of drama as Trans Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya told off Ruto’s government over cases of abductions in the country.

Without mincing his words, Natembeya implored the president to intervene and end the spate of enforced disappearance.

On a quick rejoinder, Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, in a harsh tone, blasted Natembeya using words such as ‘shame on you,’ accusing him of failing to stop abductions during his tenure as a regional commissioner.

Ichung’wah, who used a scolding tone, further accused Natembeya of causing division in the Western region.

I have been shocked beyond words by some of the speeches here in Bungoma County.

If those who spoke are the people he listens to, Ruto is in more trouble than he knows. Freedom of speech cannot be limited beyond the limitations in Article 33.

Even that Computer Misuse law…

— Edwin Sifuna (@edwinsifuna) January 3, 2025