Remarks by Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and three Cabinet ministers have angered PNU contestants in the South Mugirango by-election.

On Friday, Kalonzo, ministers Uhuru Kenyatta, Naomi Shaban, her assistant Mahmoud Ali and Education Minister Sam Ongeri backed Omingo Magara for re-election.

The five made the remarks at the burial of Mr Omingo’s brother Titus Magara, but were not well received by PNU aspirants.

"How can they support Magara, who is vying on an ODM affiliate party ticket?" posed Ford-People aspirant Manson Oyongo.

Mr Magara decamped to PDP, whose chairman Stephen Nyarangi, speaking at the burial, said the party would atone South Mugirango.

Mr Oyongo took issue with Prof Ongeri’s stand, saying he should be non-partisan as his action could precipitate a repeat of what PNU suffered in Bomachoge.

Ongeri said told mourners: "The direction is where I am right now" when asked to give direction on the by-election.