- Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura caused confusion at the funeral in Kabarak after he refused to vacate the seat reserved for Trade and Industry Minister Lee Kinyanjui
- Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen intervened, urging Mwaura to agree, but the speaker stood his ground
- A new seat had to be brought in for Kinyanjui, who ended up sitting next to Murkomen, stressing the conflict
Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura caused a stir after holding the seat reserved for Trade and Industry Minister Lee Kinyanjui at the funeral.
Source: Twitter
The two had joined other celebrities at the funeral of the daughter of the director general of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Capt. William Rutoin Kabarak, Nakuru County, Friday, April 10.
Mitchell Jelimo lost his life in a road accident in Taita Taveta on April 4, with his father and other family members.
The car they were traveling in hit a stationary trailer, causing his death on the spot. Other passengers of the wrecked car survived the accident with injuries.
Why Isaac Mwaura was ‘faced’ in the funeral
Lee appeared to arrive late, long after the funeral service had begun and the attendees were already seated.
He greeted everyone while religious songs were being sung and went to where he was supposed to sit.
But there was no seat available, making him the Minister of the Interior Dating Murkomen persuade Mwaura to leave his seat for Lee.
“Mwaura, please let the Minister stay there,” Murkomen was heard.
Despite Murkomen’s intervention, Mwaura remained stubborn, did not speak or give up his seat.
He stood his ground, forcing another chair to be brought in for the Minister, who eventually sat next to his Home Affairs colleague.
This would not be the first time Mwaura seems to have clashed with his fellow officers.
Why was Mwaura blamed in the White House?
Last May, there appeared to be a growing conflict within President William Ruto’s team at the State House in Nairobi, as officials clashed over how government matters were presented.
Mwaura was investigated after he gave two conflicting statements about the maintenance of the Public Seal.
During one of his weekly meetings, Mwaura firmly said that the seal should be under the Head of Public Service, dismissing claims that the Attorney General is the legal guardian.
His remarks caused a backlash, forcing him to issue a clarification the next day.
In a subsequent statement, Mwaura changed his position, admitting that the seal is legally under the office of the Attorney General.
He defended himself by insisting that his earlier statements had been misrepresented.
The inconsistency placed him under intense criticism, with White House officials openly challenging his credibility.
Among those who criticized him was a member of the State House, Sam Terriz, who accused Mwaura of sowing confusion and undermining the image of the president.
Source: Facebook
Terriz said that the change of spokesperson destroyed the transparency expected from government communications.
This public display of internal differences highlighted the divisions within Ruto’s communications team, which risks undermining the delivery of critical information to the public.
However, some observers argue that such competition can foster healthy competition, with each group striving to impress the president by outdoing the other.
Who is the proper keeper of the public seal?
The Public Seal, recognized in the Constitution of Kenya as a national emblem, plays an important role in authenticating official government documents.
Concerns have been raised about his transfer from Attorney General, with critics warning that such a move could undermine legal oversight and open the door to unregulated government transactions.
Reports indicate that the former Attorney General Justin Muturi he opposed the transition, and some insiders suggest that this opposition may have played a role in his removal.
His successor, Dorcas Oduor, gave vague answers when asked about the seal’s current location.
The November 2023 Executive Order changed the ownership of the seal to the Head of Public Service (HOPS), prompting warnings from legal experts such as Gitobu Imanyara and Willis Otieno that the move could violate constitutional provisions and undermine established checks and balances.
Observers say that handing over such an important national symbol to the president-elect, who has not been vetted by Parliament or clearly appointed in the Constitution, risks undermining public trust and may lead to legal challenges.
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