A funeral in Murang’a County turned chaotic when Lamu Women Representative Lucy Muthoni Marubu faced intense heckling, forcing her to flee for her safety.
The incident unfolded during the burial of James Ngethe, where Marubu’s remarks reportedly sparked outrage among attendees.
"Mimi Muthoni ni wa two term!" a spirited Muthoni said to the congregation shortly before her mic was cut off.
Soon after, chants could be heard growing from a section of the crowd, before her speech was cut short.
One of the videos on social media captured dramatic scenes of the MP being whisked away from the venue, openly exposing simmering political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Marubu, a known supporter of the current regime, appeared unprepared for the backlash in a region where loyalties remain divided post-2022 elections.
Chaos as Lamu Women Rep Monicah Muthoni almost beaten after shouting 'Tutam' and 'Singapore' in front of Gachagua and his DCP brigade at James Gakuya's mother's burial
— PropesaTV (@PropesaTV) January 3, 2026
I love the way we have started 2026 pic.twitter.com/kvswe3NMny
Netizens quickly weighed in online.
X user @Briankariu commented, “Anafikiria she courageous shouting tutam behind enemy lines? Lesson is taught.”
Meanwhile, @chuksjonia wrote, “Majamaa hawataamini, ground is different,” and @Nyamujim observed, “It’s good to read the public mood.”
Reports indicated that the crowd, largely from Murang’a in the Mt. Kenya East region, viewed her slogans as divisive. Some accounts suggest she was nearly attacked before security intervened, prompting a hasty exit. Social media posts described her being “shown the birds of Ngethe,” a local phrase for being chased away.
Marubu’s presence as a coastal MP promoting “Tutam” rhetoric—seen as aligning with Deputy President William Ruto—clashed with local sentiments in a region that remains wary of outsider influence.
In political terms, “Tutam” has become a rallying mantra for Ruto loyalists, symbolising unity behind his bottom-up economic agenda and 2027 bid.
Critics accused Marubu of importing coastal politics into Central Kenya, a move that instead exposed deep fractures within the region.
The incident reflects a trend of funerals, traditionally neutral spaces, becoming politicised battlegrounds.
Similar confrontations involving MPs endorsing rival politicians have previously led to violence, highlighting voter fatigue with elite political pacts.
Lucy Muthoni Marubu, elected in 2022 on a UDA ticket, has been a vocal Ruto defender and championed projects such as Lamu Port expansions.
The incident in Murang’a now introduces a new dimension for Ruto’s plans with Mt. Kenya consolidation, a pivotal voting bloc, as 2027 approaches.