Governor Samuel Tunai has shocked residents of Narok county after he boycotted the burial of veteran politician and Maa leader Hassan Ole Kamwaro.
Governor Tunai and his allies skipped the burial at Kisiriri village in Narok North in what intelligence reports indicated were hostile mourners.
Reports indicated that local mourners, largely from the Purko clan, would have booed Governor Tunai whom they have opposed since 2013.
Deputy President William Ruto who had indicated he would attend also cancelled his trip at the last-minute following “a leakage of a hostile reception”
The Purko clan has been politically hostile to Tunai and Ruto with one point of departure being the eviction of settlers in the Mau complex.
Instead, Nasa leaders led by ODM luminary Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and James Orengo got a heroic welcome at the burial.
Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku who surprisingly received wild cheers from the mourners, was forced to stand in for Mr Tunai and address the mourners on the slot left for host governor.
Lenku is the chairman of the Narok-Kajiado Economic Block which brings together the two Maa counties.
Governor Lenku sat between Interior CAS Patrick Ole Ntutu, (who wants to succeed Tunai) and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Environment CS Keriako Tobiko also attended the burial.
It is not the first time Raila and Lenku are receiving heroic welcome in Narok, at the expense of Tunai and Ruto.
During the national Madaraka day at Narok Stadium on June 1,2019, Raila was received with wild cheers although he did not address the gathering.
Governor Lenku’s speech was wildly cheered especially due to his tough statements on the eviction of illegal settlers in the Maasai Mau Complex which he supports.