‘Drama’ as Mudavadi and Wetang’ula Walk Out of Church After Sifuna Is Invited to Address Mourners

A moment at the requiem mass of veteran diplomat Burudi Nabwera has drawn attention to the political divisions emerging in Western Kenya ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula reportedly walked out just as Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna rose to speak during the service held at Friends Church in Lang’ata, Nairobi, on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

The three leaders attended the ceremony to pay their last respects to Nabwera, a former Cabinet minister and Member of Parliament whose career included service in diplomacy and government.

The reported incident has attracted interest because of the growing political differences between Sifuna and the two senior government leaders.

In recent days, Mudavadi and Wetang’ula have publicly questioned Sifuna’s ambitions of becoming Kenya’s next president. They have argued that winning the presidency requires strong political structures, national support and leadership experience.

Sifuna, however, has maintained that his Linda Mwananchi Movement can attract support across the country and compete in the 2027 General Election.

The senator has been building the movement following his removal as Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) secretary-general. He was also unveiled as the leader of The Equitable Party, which he intends to rebrand under the Linda Mwananchi name.

The political tension comes as leaders in Western Kenya seek to strengthen their influence ahead of the next election. Different camps have been advancing competing political plans, with some supporting President William Ruto’s re-election bid while others are pushing for a new opposition alliance.

On Tuesday, October 20, Sifuna also met former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri County. The meeting raised further questions about possible cooperation between their political camps.

Although the reported walkout has drawn attention, it does not by itself establish the leaders’ reasons for leaving.

As political realignments continue, Western Kenya’s leaders face growing pressure to decide how they will approach the 2027 contest.

Do you think these divisions will affect Western Kenya’s political direction in 2027?

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