Video: Ex-CJ David Maraga Faces Hostility, Heckled in His Home Area at Catherine Nyamato’s Burial
- Former chief justice David Maraga’s presidential ambitions faced a rocky start after sections of mourners heckled him during a high-profile burial in his home county of Nyamira
- Maraga was addressing the funeral of Catherine Nyamato, the Gusii region’s first female MP, before hundreds of mourners, political leaders, and community elders
- The unrest began when he revealed that Nyamato had pledged her political backing for his 2027 run, a remark that drew jeers and whistles
- Undeterred, Maraga pressed on, accusing the Kenya Kwanza government of theft and lawlessness, and pledging to restore constitutional order
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Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Former chief justice David Maraga’s entry into active politics has hit early turbulence after he was heckled in his home county during a high-profile burial.
Source: UGC
Maraga, who has declared his intention to contest the presidency in the 2027 General Election, was among leaders attending the funeral of Catherine Nyamato, the first-ever female MP from the Gusii region.
The burial, held in Nyamira county on Friday, August 8, drew hundreds of mourners, including political figures, community elders, and family members of the late legislator.
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Was Maraga close with Nyamato?
Maraga began his tribute in a calm tone, recalling his close ties with Nyamato and describing her as a trailblazer.
The former CJ expressed condolences to her family and praised her courage in championing human rights.
"To Catherine, who is lying here, to her family and her children, we say we are deeply sorry. This was a brave woman. Catherine comes from my home area. When I decided to run for the presidency in 2027, she was one of the people I spoke to and sought advice from," he said, drawing initial murmurs from the crowd.
Tension at the burial ceremony rose when Maraga added that Nyamato had assured him of her political support.
He explained that the deceased politician played a huge role in his decision to take a stab at the presidency in 2027.
"She told me that because she was a human rights advocate and knew that is what I pursue, she would support me to the end. So I have lost a woman who was my sister, I have lost my voter, and I have lost someone who would have stood with me," he revealed.
How did Nyamira residents turn against Maraga?
The comment triggered jeers, whistles, and shouts from sections of the crowd, interrupting his speech.
Some mourners sustained the heckling throughout his remarks, while others tried to calm the situation.
"Hakuna," some of the mourners could be heard shouting.
Despite the hostility, Maraga pressed on, reaffirming his resolve to contest for the top seat and outlining his campaign message.
Source: Youtube
He promised to prioritise adherence to the rule of law, accusing the Kenya Kwanza administration of straying from constitutional principles.
"I want to tell you one thing. I have stood firm and I will go all the way. The way the government is, the theft that is going on, the disregard for the law that is happening, I will pursue it to the end and I will stand for justice," he told the gathering.
Why was Maraga heckled in Nyamira?
The incident is an early sign of the challenges Maraga faces in consolidating support in his Gusii backyard.
The region is shaping up to be a competitive battleground ahead of 2027, with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i also eyeing the presidency.
The jeers reflected a deeper split among Gusii voters over who should lead the community’s political agenda.
Some analysts suggest that ongoing claims by rivals that Maraga is a state-sponsored candidate could have influenced the reception he received.
Maraga has consistently denied the allegations, insisting his candidacy is driven by the desire to restore respect for the law in Kenya.
He has disassociated himself from any tribal group, identifying himself only as "a people's candidate" seeking an opportunity to correct the mistakes made by the current and past regimes.
As the former Chief Justice, Maraga has been particularly critical of governments that disregard the law and "operate with impunity" without any consequence.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
