MP Kibagendi Explains Scuffle with Japheth Nyakundi at Kisii Funeral

MPs Kibagendi and Nyakundi when they clashed on Friday, September 12, 2025. PHOTO:X

Kitutu Chache South Member of Parliament (MP) Anthony Kibagendi downplayed a dramatic incident at a burial in Kisii County where he clashed with his Kitutu Chache North counterpart, Japheth Nyakundi.

Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV on Monday, Kibagendi confirmed that the altercation happened after he accused President William Ruto of being dishonest, remarks that sparked chants of “one-term” from the crowd.

Nyakundi, who was serving as the event’s master of ceremonies, took issue with the comments and attempted to cut him short.

“People were chanting one-term and because he is a sycophant of the system, he did not like that I was probably adding fuel to the fire. So, he tried to grab the mic from me and tried to throw me off stage,” Kibagendi said.

The confrontation quickly drew attention, with reports describing it as a fight. Kibagendi, however, dismissed the characterization, insisting the incident was minor and did not escalate into a full-blown brawl.

Kitutu Chache South Member of Parliament (MP) Anthony Kibagendi

“Because of my fitness I managed to stop him, but of course the media had to call it a fight. It was not a fight. Had we fought, he is not as fit as I am. He may be huge but it’s a lot of fat,” he remarked, mocking Nyakundi’s physical ability.

The legislator stressed that he would not take responsibility for the disruption, arguing that he was exercising his freedom of speech and that Nyakundi overreacted.

“There is absolutely no way I take responsibility because I was saying what I say every day. He was uncomfortable with it and should have let me finish. He could have given a rejoinder instead of resorting to force,” Kibagendi said.

He maintained that his comments reflected his usual political stance rather than personal differences with Nyakundi, dismissing the incident as exaggerated by media coverage.