A funeral in Matungu, Kakamega County, turned chaotic after supporters of politicians clashed, forcing mourners to flee for their safety.
Several people were injured after supporters of Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, Matungu MP Peter Nabulindo and former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa clashed at the burial of Augustine Odongo, a prominent businessman in Mumias.
Trouble began when Governor Barasa arrived accompanied by his supporters who had met him from the main road singing and dancing to Isukuti drums, sparking outrage from supporters of Mr Nabulindo and Mr Echesa.
Hundreds of youths began to shout uncontrollably at Mr Barasa, disrupting the funeral service.
Efforts by the presiding priest, John Bosco of Ejinja Catholic Parish, to quell the shouting fell on deaf ears.
A section of the county askaris and the youth accompanying Mr Barasa forced their way into the shouting crowd, forcing them to disperse before chaos broke out.
Mayoni ward MCA Fredrick Watitwa was injured when he tried to rescue one of the youths who was attacked by a youth supporting Mr Barasa.
A police officer was also injured when he was hit by a stone thrown by the irate youth who at one point, tried to disrupt the burial ceremony in the deceased’s compound which had its gates closed and was manned by the county guards
Mr Barasa condemned the incident, terming it unfortunate.
“I am deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident witnessed from the hooligans who were paid to come and disrupt the burial of such a respected member of the community. I direct security agents within Kakamega County to ensure those who are responsible for this mess are held accountable,” said Mr Barasa.
He described the late Mr Odongo as one of his great friends and that his death was a big loss to the community of Matungu and Kakamega in general.
Mr Barasa singled out Mr Echesa accusing him of mobilizing and paying the youth to cause mayhem in the funeral.
“This is a family of respected people including renowned lawyers and government officials. It is very bad that their father failed to receive the deserved send-off. I am asking Mr Echesa to concentrate in Mumias West where he is seeking to become the Member of Parliament. We are not lying low but will tackle him accordingly,” said Mr Barasa.
The bereaved family led by Bernadette Wabuyabo Odongo, the widow and son, Patrick Luttah, regretted the incident, and how it had hit them at their lowest point and in a solemn ceremony for a man they said was peace-loving.
“I personally called my brother Echesa in the morning and cautioned him against causing violence in this burial ceremony but he went ahead to organize youth who were rowdy and positioned them strategically to cause fracas,” said Mr Luttah.
Ms Wabuyabo, the widow, said she was perturbed by the incident.
“I did not mourn my husband the way I had expected to. I did not say anything about my husband. My children did not have a chance to speak because the crowd was charged and rowdy. God knows what will happen in the future. Being a politician does not give you guarantee to disrupt people’s funeral,” said Ms Wabuyabo.
Similar sentiments were issued by Nabongo Peter Shitawa who called on politicians to respect the dead.
“This was a funeral of a very peace loving man who raised up a responsible family and never engaged in politics. We had come in large numbers to celebrate his last day. We condemn what happened in the highest terms possible,” he said.
He regretted that the region was witnessing growing cases of heckling and shaming of political leaders.
The enraged youth who were chased out of the burial ceremony lit bone fires at Matungu center before they were dispersed by anti-riot police officers.
Mr Nabulindo blamed the police for allowing supporters of Mr Barasa into the tent at the time the church was conducting the burial service.
“I am the MP of the area, but when I arrived at the gate to the burial site, my people were locked out and this happened to Mr Echesa. Why did the police fail to block supporters of Barasa from accessing the tent?” he questioned.
The lawmaker accused Mr Barasa of mobilizing his supporters to public functions to jeer down other leaders.
“When President Ruto was in this county two weeks ago, it was evident that Barasa mobilized, paid and ferried people to all the functions within Kakamega with placards to shout down other leaders. This culture has not been in Kakamega and it has to stop,” said Mr Nabulindo.
Matungu sub-County police commander Jane Pascalyne confirmed that scores of people sustained injuries from the clashes but none had made an official report to the police.
“We are waiting for anyone to make a report so that we can commence investigations. One of our officers was injured but has been treated and he is in stable condition,” she said.
