Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi walks back with Father Chrispinus Werunga of Benon Parish and Woman Representative Carolyne Ngelechei after the priest had walked away from the funeral in Trans Nzoia, September 21, 2025. /MATHEWS NDANYI
Father Chrispinus Werunga of Benon Parish at one point walked away from the funeral after political leaders prolonged their speeches, delaying the service.
The priest had insisted that the church was supposed to take over the programme at midday, but his efforts to stop the speeches proved futile.
The casket bearing the body of MP Sudi’s aunt“We respect the church but please give us time to mourn our aunt and talk to our people, because without these people there will be no church,” Wainaina said.
Ngelechei supported the sentiments, while Father Werunga stood his ground, even taking one of the microphones to stop the speeches.
A visibly agitated Sudi then took another microphone to address the mourners.
“We respect the church, and Father, if you are in a hurry you can let another priest lead the service. My aunt loved peace and I don’t want chaos here,” Sudi said.
At that point, Father Werunga and his team walked away, after which speeches went on for another three hours.
When the speeches ended, Sudi briefly left the venue and returned holding the priest’s hand.
“Let me clarify that we have sorted out with Father and I am sorry for what happened. Please lead the service to bury my aunt,” Sudi said.
Father Werunga then led the service and, in his sermon, urged leaders to respect the church and preach peace.
“Today I have met people whom I rarely meet, but we must remember that what is lasting is God. Let us not cheer our politicians even when they are lying,” Father Werunga said.
Among those present were Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, governors Stephen Sang (Nandi), Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu) and Wisley Rotich (Elgeyo Marakwet), MPs Joseph Wainaina and Caroline Ngelechei, among others.
CS Kipchumba Murkomen (c) with Sudi and Governor Jonathan Bii during the burial in Trans NzoiaEarlier, Murkomen had disclosed that over 100 guns had been surrendered by bandits in the last three days, signalling progress in the fight against banditry in the Kerio Valley.
He said about 50 guns were surrendered on Saturday, 45 on Friday, and 20 the previous day.
“I want to thank our people in Kerio Valley for agreeing that we must end banditry once and for all. We know where all the illegal guns are, and we ask those who still have them to surrender before we come for them,” Murkomen said.
He added that President William Ruto had vowed to eradicate banditry and his government was delivering on the pledge.
Murkomen also announced a Sh1 billion empowerment programme for the youth in Kerio Valley to help them earn decent livelihoods.
“The government has set aside over Sh1 billion to open up the entire region, especially the Tiaty area, which was previously inaccessible,” he said, adding that the state would smoke out all bandits from their hideouts.
Murkomen said the operation to clear banditry in the region would be completed within a month.
Sudi and the governors present thanked Murkomen for spearheading the crackdown, with Sudi urging those still in possession of firearms to surrender them voluntarily.
“CS Murkomen, please pile pressure on them and don’t relent at all. If they won’t surrender the guns, let them go away,” said Sudi.
Governor Sang and his colleagues said restoring peace and security would pave the way for development activities in the region.
