Chaos, fiery political exchanges, heckling and political thuggery marred the burial of Mzee Nyikal Okaka, the father of Seme Member of Parliament Dr James Nyikal on Saturday.
The burial ceremony, which took place at Ridore Primary School in Seme, was interrupted several times, even as several political leaders arrived with the service and speeches underway.
Things nearly got out of control when a section of youths in attendance heckled and confronted Siaya Governor James Orengo, forcing him to leave the burial.
Despite pleas from the bereaved family, some youth who accompanied political leaders, jostled for space as they pushed, shoved and shouted.
It was a rare occasion that brought together leaders of the two rival factions of the ODM party – Linda Mwananchi and Linda Ground.
And when they took to the podium, the leaders threw political epithets at each as Dr Nyikal struggled to bring the situation under control.
When he rose to eulogise his father, the lawmaker pleaded with his colleagues to calm down the youth who had accompanied them.
“My colleagues, let us make our country peaceful. When we have a function, let there be peace. Must we have a large group of people following us? We must control them,” Dr Nyikal said.
“Let us be truly popular. You should be able to walk to a funeral alone. I think popularity is like love, you can’t buy it with money. You may get it with money but that will be lust, not love,” he said.
Before the situation degenerated, Governor Orengo had been warmly received by the mourners with some chanting ‘party leader’ as he made his way to the tent where his counterparts were seated.
But his presence did not go down well with a section of the youth who started heckling him forcing him to leave the scene.
Later, Mr Orengo condemned the incident, while accusing the State of sponsoring acts of violence and political intolerance.
“It is shameful and disgraceful that a solemn occasion such as this could be disrupted by the State so rattled by the people’s unity that it resorts to unleashing goons,” Mr Orengo said.
He however stated that no amount of intimidation and acts of desperation will silence the Linda Mwananchi faction of the ODM party.
“Linda Mwananchi is a force of the people – unstoppable, unshaken, and unwavering in its mission to defend and uplift the voice of every Kenyan,” said Orengo.
Meanwhile, at the ceremony the Siaya Governor was at the center of relentless attack from his colleagues from the Linda Ground faction.
“If Oburu (Oginga) was elected the party leader, let us all rally behind him,” said ODM chair Gladys Wanga.
On the other hand, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga expressed outrage over Orengo’s ejection from the ceremony, terming it as ‘organized chaos’.
“Governor Orengo came to mourn with his colleague and sat peacefully. But later there was disruption as a whole governor in Nyanza was frog-marched out of a funeral simply because of divergent views. Leaders must stop transporting goons to events. If you truly have the support of the people, let it come naturally. Hiring crowds and using them to intimidate others will not help this country,” Ms Odinga said.
In his true element, Maseno South Diocese Bishop Charles Ong’injo delivered a stinging sermon that hit right at the heart of the political leaders.
“Stop concentrating on nonsensical political sloganeering and address the needs of the people,” said Bishop Ong’injo.
“MPs have let us down in this country. There are pertinent things we want to hear them talk about, but they have remained silent. Stop being a choir and a chorus, do your job,” he said.
