The funeral of beloved Kenyan comedian KK Mwenyewe, born Zakaria Kariuki, took an unexpected political turn when presidential aide Dennis Itumbi was loudly heckled by mourners in Lari Constituency, Kiambu County. The young comic, known for his viral impersonations of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, was being laid to rest as a crowd of hundreds, ranging from fellow content creators to government officials, gathered to pay their respects. But the solemn ceremony quickly turned tense.
Why Was Dennis Itumbi Heckled During His Speech?
Speaking in his role as Head of the Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Coordination, Itumbi started with a tribute, saying, “I come to say bye to someone who put smiles on our faces. All the issues and challenges that I have been told to address here about content creators. In the government, I am the one in charge.” His message, however, shifted to policy and government efforts, including the removal of the Digital Services Tax and the establishment of a sacco for content creators.
That’s when tensions flared.
Mourners interrupted his speech with chants of “Uongo hio! Uongo! Hio ni uongo! Ruto must go,” and “Kasongo ni Wantam,” a phrase that mocks the government by suggesting it will only serve one term. Despite his attempts to win back the crowd, Itumbi’s pledges to offer KK’s best friend, Kafengo, a job and support KK’s sister’s education were met with louder, more intense heckling.
What Did Itumbi Say Before Leaving the Podium?
Unshaken, Itumbi addressed the hostile crowd directly: “Hio ni sawa, you can shout all you want, but these content creators need money in their pockets, and we will ensure money gets into their pockets.” The statement didn’t pacify the mourners. Instead, the calls of “Wantam! Wantam!” grew louder, eventually forcing him to step away from the podium.
How Did Kafengo Remember KK Mwenyewe?
In a deeply emotional moment, KK’s best friend and fellow content creator, Kafengo, struggled to eulogise the man he called a brother. Holding back tears, he recalled their friendship, which started on campus and flourished through collaborative content. Online, Kenyans rallied around Kafengo with words of encouragement, reminding him that KK’s legacy would live on through his work and their shared memories.
By Risper Akinyi