Africa-Press – Kenya. Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui encountered a mixed reaction Friday after telling mourners at a funeral in Kigumo, Murang’a County, that the government plans to establish an industrial park in the area.
A section of the crowd was heard chanting “uongo” in response to his remarks.
Kinyanjui was speaking during the funeral service of Jane Kamau, the mother of former Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau.
According to the CS, his ministry was rolling out several development projects across the country, including Murang’a, with a focus on trade, investment and value addition.
“Mimi nataka kumaliza kwa kusema niko katika wizara ya Trade and Investment na baadhi ya miradi ambayo tunataka kuleta hapa including Murang’a. We want to do an industrial park,” Kinyanjui said.
(I want to conclude by saying that I am in the Ministry of Trade and Investment, and there are several projects we plan to bring here, including Murang’a. We want to establish an industrial park)
His statement was immediately interrupted by brief loud chants of “uwongo, uwongo,” (lies) forcing him to pause before continuing with his speech.
Kinyanjui went on to cite recent diplomatic and trade engagements, noting that Kenya had last month initiated talks with China to secure market access for Kenyan avocados.
He said the discussions were aimed at expanding export opportunities for farmers and strengthening the country’s trade balance.
“Mwezi jana Kenya imeanzisha mazungumzo na nchi ya China kuhakikisha kwamba tumepeleka avocado zetu (Last month, Kenya initiated talks with China to ensure that our avocados can access the Chinese market),” he told the gathering.
He insisted that the government’s focus was on practical economic outcomes rather than empty political rhetoric.
The CS also criticised some Mt Kenya leaders, saying their actions appeared to contradict public calls for unity in the region. Without naming individuals, Kinyanjui said some leaders preached cohesion while engaging in conduct that undermined it.
“How do you tell us you want to unite the community when we come to mourn with you, you ridicule us? That’s the biggest contradiction,” he said.
He urged political leaders to accept differences of opinion and allow the country to move forward, arguing that disagreement did not have to translate into hostility.
“Siasa si lazima tuelewane. Wewe uko upande yako, mimi niko na yangu, na Kenya inasonga mbele,” Kinyanjui added.
(Politics does not require us to agree. You are on your side, I am on mine, and Kenya moves forward)
