Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi has criticised President William Ruto for travelling to the Vatican after delegating Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, to represent him at the funeral of Pope Francis.
In a statement shared via his X account on Saturday, April 26, 2025, Amisi said it was confusing for the president to send a representative and then follow him to the same event.
Amisi explained that while it was appropriate for the president to appoint Wetang’ula to represent him, it was unusual for Ruto to later appear at the Vatican himself. He said the move made it look like the president had travelled to observe how he was being represented.
“The president designated the Speaker of the National Assembly to represent him in the Vatican for Pope funeral,which is perfectly in order, and then the president himself follows him to the vatican to among other things say hi to wetangula and watch how he is being represented,” Amisi wrote.
Wetang’ula in Rome
Speaker Wetang’ula had earlier shared emotional tributes on his X account, praising the late Pope Francis for his humility and dedication to service.
He described Pope Francis as a leader who reminded the world that true greatness lies in humility and love that leaves no one behind. Wetang’ula said the Pope’s voice, though gentle, had firm messages calling humanity to fraternity, mercy, and the defence of the poor.
The Speaker added that the funeral ceremony was led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, and attended by members of the College of Cardinals, the Roman Curia, and faithful from all over the world.
He praised the liturgical rites conducted by Monsignor Diego Giovanni Ravelli and the sacred chants from the Cappella Musicale Pontificia Sistina, which he said elevated the prayers of those present. Wetang’ula also described the final salute rendered by the Pontifical Swiss Guard as a fitting farewell to the late Pontiff.
In another message, Wetang’ula claimed that he joined Ruto, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, hundreds of thousands of mourners, and dozens of world leaders and dignitaries at the solemn requiem mass held at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
After concluding a four-day state visit to China that began on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, President William Ruto travelled to Rome, Italy, on Friday, April 26, 2025. His visit to Rome was to join other world leaders and thousands of Catholic faithful in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
“We have lost a powerful and compassionate voice that reminded us that true and meaningful progress must leave no one behind. His Holiness Pope Francis showed the world that the greatest use of power is service, and that through care for the poor and the vulnerable, we can achieve lasting good,” Ruto wrote.
Adding;
“At St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, joined world leaders and the Catholic Community to bid farewell to His Holiness Pope Francis.”