Just when the dust was almost settling at the home of the late Agostino Odongo, the former senior chief whose burial was nearly marred by political violence on February 4, 2025, in Chibanga village, Kakamega County, another trouble has come calling.
The organisers of the burial ceremony has slapped Odongo’s family with a Sh1.5 million bill to cater for damages caused to its property during the event which turned chaotic last Saturday.
The organisers claim that their chairs were broken and tables damaged as supporters of Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and those of Matungu MP Peter Nabulindo and former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa clashed.
Scores of mourners as well as police officers were injured during the fracas that forced the deceased’s family and the church to hurriedly bury the chief.
Some of the unruly youth are said to have raided the catering section, consumed all the food before turning their anger on the cutlery.
Mr Patrick Luttah, the family’s spokesman, reported that several vehicles were damaged by the rowdy youth who pelted them with stones.
Mr Luttah said the family had been served with the huge bill from the service providers who were hired to offer services in the funeral.
"We are suffering a double loss. We are mourning the loss of our father but the politicians have added salt to our injuries," he said on Thursday.
He said they had organised a decent sendoff for their father, who was a peace-loving person and a respected member of the community, only for the politicians to disrupt it with their violent supporters.
On Monday, the bereaved family returned a bull and Sh15,000 that was donated towards the burial ceremony by Mr Nabulindo. They also sent back Sh50,000 to Mr Echesa which he had given as his funeral contribution.
Mr Luttah said this was a sign of the family's disappointment with the conduct of the two politicians during the burial ceremony.
"They thought that by giving us a bull and some money, they qualified to disrupt the burial of our father. This should serve as a lesson to all the politicians," said Mr Luttah.
Wanga Council of Elders condemned the incident and summoned Mr Nabulindo and Echesa to appear before the elders.
Council chairman Andrew Okumu said the duo wouldbe required to apologise to the affected family and accept to cater for the damages.
"As elders, we have conducted our research and our findings conform with what the family spokesman pointed out. The violent clashes were organised by Mr Nabulindo and Echesa. We want to promote a peaceful coexistence and that is why we have summoned them," said Mr Okumu.
"What we witnessed in Matungu is not the way Luhyas or the people of the Wanga community mourn their loved ones. This was purely criminal in nature and the DCI should find the root cause of this mess."
The elders condemned the growing cases of political intolerance calling on politicians to stop early campaigns that are raising the political temperatures.
Mr Julius Nyarotso, one of the council members, asked those who are opposed to the performance of elected leaders to focus on taking stock of their performance records and use the scorecard in 2027.
"We shall be engaging politicians from all levels to talk with them on the importance of promoting peace. They should also organize their political events and desist from turning funerals into political battlegrounds," explained Eng Nyarotso.
Similar sentiments were also issued by Nabongo Peter Shitawa, the King of the Wanga Kingdom who called on politicians to respect the dead.
“It was a funeral of a very peace-loving man who raised up a responsible family and never engaged in politics. We went in large numbers to celebrate his last day. We condemn what happened in the highest terms possible,” said Nabongo Shitawa.
Already, the police have arrested some of the youth who engaged in the violent clashes.
On Wednesday, Mr Echesa presented himself to the regional police headquarters in Kakamega and recorded a statement.
Western region police commander Kiprono Langat said they were still waiting for Governor Barasa and Matungu MP to go record their statements as well.
"So far, those who were arrested were arraigned and have been charged. We are still pursuing more suspects," said Mr Langat.
