Laikipia County Senator John Kinyua has read deep meanings into President William Ruto’s candle failing to light during the burial of Pope Francis.
The senator said it is a sign that he is unwanted and that he will lose his grip on power and go home in 2027.
Speaking during the celebrations to mark the 26th anniversary of St Louis Igwamiti Parish in Ol Joro Orok Constituency, Nyandarua County, on Sunday, April 27, 2025, Kinyua told the congregation that he was left deeply shaken after watching the incident unfold on television and insisted that such signs should not be taken lightly.
“I was shocked in a way I have never been before,” he said.
“I was watching television yesterday, and I saw our president, William Ruto, attending the Vatican burial, and to my amazement, all the leaders who were seated at the front were given candles, but while the others’ candles lit up, his did not, and what surprised me even more was that he was politely asked to move a little backwards because his candle refused to light, while those whose candles had lit were moved forward, and that, my people, is a sign that come 2027, his candle will have been extinguished.”
Kinyua went on to connect the symbolism he saw at the Vatican to what he described as the failures of the Kenya Kwanza government on the ground, telling the congregation that promises made to the people of Laikipia have amounted to nothing and accusing the government of abandoning its pledges.
He highlighted the government’s unfulfilled promises, such as the failure to keep elephants in the forest to prevent them from destroying crops, the continued threat of robbers, and the growing frustration of citizens who feel their cries for help go unheard, leaving them to question if their prayers are in vain.
“Just like Senator (John) Methu said, we have seen no positive outcomes from the promises made to us; we were promised that elephants would be kept in the forest to stop them from ravaging our crops, yet they continue to destroy them, and robbers have not been tamed either, and every day we cry for help, to the point we start wondering whether we are praying to God in vain,” Kinyua said.
Backing recent remarks by Catholic Bishop Antony Muheria, Kinyua accused the government of focusing on publicising what it plans to do instead of delivering tangible results, warning that Kenyans are tired of endless promises without action.
“Today I want to support the words of Bishop Muheria: that the role of government is not to keep shouting about what they are planning to do or allocating funds that never get used properly, but to act decisively and deliver results, because unless they change their ways, they will not only lose our trust but also lose power,” he said.
Kinyua further praised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for the tangible work he had done before he fell out of favour, stating that only during Gachagua’s tenure as deputy president did the Mount Kenya region witness a serious fight against illicit brews, improved security, and better prices for coffee farmers.
“When Gachagua was fully in charge, there were real developments—he fought against illegal alcohol, boosted security in the region, and genuinely worked to ensure our coffee fetched a better price—but ever since they stripped him of influence, everything has fallen apart,” Kinyua said.
In a defiant tone, Kinyua also disclosed that despite repeated attempts by government operatives to buy his loyalty and sway him from supporting Gachagua, he had refused to change his position and remained firmly in Gachagua’s corner.
“I have been bought countless times by this government not to back Gachagua, but I have never changed my stance, and I will not change my stance, because it is Gachagua all the time,” he said.
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