The burial ceremony of Machakos Africa Inland Church (AIC) Bishop Benard Nguyo, was yesterday turned into a platform for an ugly confrontation, between Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Senator Johnson Muthama.

An angry Muthama shot up from his seat and charged in the direction of Kalonzo, after the Wiper leader, made reference touching onMuthama’s relationship with his estranged wife, Agnes Kavindu.

Wiper has nominated Kavindu to for the Machakos senate seat, putting her on a collision course with Muthama who is campaigning for United Democratic Alliance(UDA) candidate Urbanus Ngengele. 

Kalonzo and Kavindu arrived together and their entry into the big tent almost disrupted Muthama’s speech.

However, trouble started when Kalonzo, who was the last political leader to address the mourners, declared that he “will return Muthama’s wife” after 2022 General Election.

Cut short

“I am telling you that next year, you will see Muthama running to perch on my chest because he knows where we are and where we are going. Even if he gets irritated, I’ll hand over his wife (Kavindu) back to him,” he said.

It is then that Muthama shot up and walked towards  Kalonzo before being restrained by MPs Patrick Makau (Mavoko), Victor Munyaka (Machakos Town) and Robert Mbui (Kathiani), forcing the Wiper party leader to cut short his speech.

A section of mourners also grumbled at Kalonzo’s remarks, in an apparent move to disapprove his sentiments.

Muthama , a former Kalonzo  supporter  cut link with the Wiper boss and is angling as  Deputy President William Ruto’s pointman in Ukambani.   

The former senator is on record describing Kalonzo as a coward who has no stamina to ran for the presidency.  

Earlier, Governor Alfred Mutua had warned politicians against making politically inflammatory remarks at the burial ceremony.

“After consulting with the presiding bishop Abraham Mulwa, we have thought it prudent to advise our political leaders not to politic at this ceremony. We are bidding farewell to a respected clergy and all we are calling for is peaceful send-off of our bishop,” he said.

Mutua said although the Kamba community had three presidential aspirants including Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana, himself and Kalonzo, residents should be allowed to support the most electable candidate across other regions of the country.

“I am ready to support anyone between Kibwana and Kalonzo, if they are more popular than me  across Kenya. I expect the same of them,” said Mutua.

Mourners shouted down Muthama after he attempted to campaign against the Building Bridges Initiative.

The late Nguyo was until his death, the Machakos regional presiding bishop of AIC. He died on January 31 aged 63. 

Candidates  for the Machakos senate seat  including  former Water Minister  Mutua Katuku of Maendeleo Chap Chap, and Ngengele, used the occasion to seek support for the March 18 polls.