Mwatate MP heckled by mourners for supporting Finance Bill

Mwatate MP Peter Shake. [Courtesy]

Mwatate MP Peter Shake received a hostile reception in his constituency after two months of absence.

The opposition legislator was booed and heckled by mourners as he tried to defend himself for supporting the controversial Finance Bill 2024, forcing him to cut short his speech.

Shake was speaking during the funeral service of the late Kambucha, the mother to Mwatate Location Chief Nicolas Kambucha.

"I supported the Bill for the benefit of my constituents because it had increased the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) where dozens of bright children from poor families would have benefited from bursaries," he said.

Shake, an Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Canon in Taita Taveta Diocese, was among the three Taita Taveta MPs who voted Yes for the controversial Bill, which President William Ruto later declined to assent following anti-government protests by Gen Z.

Woman Representative Lydia Haika and Taveta MP John Bwire who also supported the Finance Bill have been skipping public forums in the region.

Shake was forced to close down his businesses in Voi town after they were targeted by protesters.

He blamed a section of politicians and business rivals for destruction of his property.

Separately, Senator Jones Mwaruma has prevailed upon parents to stop their children from participating in anti-government protests.

Mwaruma asked Gen Z to embrace dialogue to help find a lasting solution to the challenges facing the country.

"Parents should prevail upon their children not to participate in the anti-government protests and instead advise them to join in the round table to find peaceful solutions to the problems facing the country," he pleaded