Shinyalu MP Fred Ikana…Photo/IP
By James Wafula Wekesi
Shinyalu MP Fred Ikana has strongly criticized Nyandarua Senator John Methu following remarks he made about President William Ruto at a requiem mass for the late Ol Kalou MP David Njuguna Kiaraho.
Speaking at a church fundraiser in Turbo Constituency, Ikana said Mr Methu’s conduct amounted to disrespect towards the presidency and undermined the decorum expected at national events, particularly funerals.
“You can only have a right future ahead of you if you learn to respect your seniors,” Ikana said. He added that leadership requires restraint and judgement, especially in sensitive public settings.
The Shinyalu legislator also linked the senator’s remarks to the influence of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of promoting divisive politics.
“Rigathi Gachagua is misleading you. That is why we impeached him as deputy president,” Ikana said, without providing further details. He alleged that the former deputy president did not support equitable distribution of development projects across regions.
Mr Methu’s comments came during the requiem service, where he defended Mr Gachagua and criticised both President Ruto and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa.
The senator questioned the reception he received from the audience, suggesting that some attendees had been mobilized to heckle him. He then invited mourners to show support for Mr Gachagua, referring to him as “our deputy president” and “our king”.
At one point, his speech was interrupted and his microphone switched off twice, prompting protests from the senator, who insisted he had a right to address mourners as the elected leader of the host county.
Addressing President Ruto directly, Mr Methu said he respected him but was not intimidated, adding that leaders must be able to speak openly about unmet development promises.
He cited several road projects in Nyandarua County which he said had been pledged but not completed, including routes linking Kinamba to Karangatha and Kariamu to Shamata.
In his remarks, Mr Ikana urged politicians to separate mourning from political contestation and to use appropriate forums to raise development concerns.
“There is a place and time for everything,” he said. “A funeral is not a political platform.”
He also reaffirmed his support for President Ruto, saying leaders in his region would back the government’s development agenda ahead of the next general election.
