Bumula MP Jack Wamboka seized a microphone from nominated Senator Consolata Wakwabubi and ordered her off the podium at a burial in Bungoma County on Tuesday after she publicly endorsed President William Ruto.

Wamboka, who was serving as master of ceremonies, cut off Wakwabubi mid-speech. She left the stage without resisting, according to a report on the incident.

The confrontation unfolded in a crowd broadly sympathetic to Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s presidential bid, according to the same account. Sifuna was not present, but his name featured prominently as mourners and speakers aligned themselves with his camp.

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa also faced pressure from the crowd to back Sifuna. He declined, reaffirming his loyalty to Ruto instead.

Wakwabubi joined the Senate to fill the seat left vacant by Gloria Orwoba, who was expelled from the ruling United Democratic Alliance in May 2025.

The burial brought into public view a contest that had been building the previous day. On Monday, Barasa publicly criticised National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, claiming that Wetang’ula was quietly backing his brother Tim Wanyonyi’s gubernatorial bid despite both men supporting Ruto at the national level.

Barasa is seeking the Bungoma governorship on the UDA ticket. Wanyonyi, the Westlands MP, is a rival aspirant and is aligned with Sifuna’s camp. Wetang’ula has declared his support for Ruto.

Barasa argued that the Speaker’s alleged backing of his brother was complicating his own path to the governorship.

The exact date of the burial in October 2026, the identity of the deceased, and whether Wamboka’s action was spontaneous or coordinated were not specified in the report.