Kisii: Drama Erupts at Former MP's Mum's Burial as Mourners Engage in Fistfights Near Coffin

• The family of former Nyaribari Chache MP Richard Tongi sadly announced the loss of their matriarch, Esther Tongi on July 11, 2025
• The family arranged for a beautiful sendoff for their mother, but sadly, all did not go as well as planned since a fight erupted during the burial service
• The fight pitted the supporters of President William Ruto against those of former Interior CS Fred Matiangi, and MP Zaheer Jhanda had to be whisked away by his security guards

Kisii, Kenya: Former Nyaribari Chache Member of Parliament Richard Tongi and his family are still healing from their dear mother's death and the drama that erupted at her burial service.

Mama Esther sadly died on July 25, and people had planned a beautiful burial service for her where her family members and the choir sang and spoke beautifully.

Given that one of Mama Esther's sons is a politician, leaders thronged the service, and politics dominated a part of the service.

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Clearly, there are those who supported former Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiangi and those who supported incumbent William Ruto for the presidency.

What happened at Richard Tongi's mum's burial?

During the service, tempers flared with MP Zaheer Jhanda, who is for Ruto being at the centre of it all, among other MPs, and just like that, fists started flying, and a crowd went to the front near the altar.

There was so much commotion that the coffin was almost toppled down, which would have been such a bad show for a mum who raised many, took care of people, and was a beacon of hope in society.

Jhanda was eventually whisked away by his security detail amid chants of 'tutam' by his supporters, who eventually left with him, and the service continued.

Women rushed to the front and surrounded the coffins, removing the flowers, which would have been trampled on during the commotion.

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Jhanda was later seen addressing a crowd in a defiant manner, and he dismissed those who were against him.

Many Kenyans were so disappointed by the conduct of the politicians at the funeral and called for politics to be banned at funerals.

How did Kenyans react to funeral fight?

DM:

"I’m sad as a Kisii. Why did we elect Zaheer Jhanda?"

Bee🐝:

"Any funeral connected with political leaders chaos erupt..sasa wakigonga maiti kimakosa itakuaje?"

Manwangu:

"Ambia hiyo muhindi hata aribu matanga yeye osoro na Japheth ni wanthamu wapende wasipende kisii ujinga hatutaki shenzi kabisa."

user7610605443581:

"Politics should be banned in funerals no remose for the grieving family."

nyanks:

"Politics in funerals should be banned.Na wale mnaongea ujinga about kisiis kumanina zenu.This things happen everywhere,kisii is not an exception."

Arolly:

"Wacha tu wapigane hivo hadi 2027 alafu Matiang'i akose kiti cha urahis ndio watajua level ya ujinga yao."

Chaos as coffin bursts open in Bungoma

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A previous burial ceremony held in Bungoma county took a very strange turn, leaving mourners in shock, with others screaming.

As the mourners participated in the ceremony, the coffin overturned mid-ceremony, prompting screams as well as confusion

Details of why the coffin fell emerged with the video stirring public debate about burial rights as well as respect for the dead.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke