Chaos Erupts at Funeral in Kakamega as Rival Groups Clash, Leaving Police Officer Injured
A funeral in Mayoni Ward, Kakamega County, turned chaotic on Saturday after rival political supporters clashed, disrupting the burial ceremony of an administrative officer.
The violence left several people injured, including a police officer who was caught in the fray while trying to restore order.
The confrontation erupted between supporters of Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and those allied with former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa.
As tensions flared, the deceased’s family was forced to rush through the burial proceedings amid rising fears of escalating violence.
Chairs Thrown, Police Struggle to Control Situation
The situation quickly spiraled out of control as rival groups began hurling chairs at each other. Panic spread among mourners, with many fleeing for safety.
Police officers on the ground struggled to contain the chaos, with their intervention proving insufficient in the face of the unruly crowd.
Among those injured was a police officer who was left bleeding from the scuffle. His colleagues had to step in to assist him as the violence continued. Security personnel also sustained injuries while attempting to calm the warring factions.
Adding to the alarming turn of events, one individual was caught in possession of two knives, raising concerns about his intentions. Upon his arrest, he reportedly confessed to stabbing two people during the fight. However, he immediately pleaded for forgiveness.
Grieving Family Speaks Out
The bereaved family was left distressed by the unexpected violence, which overshadowed their moment of mourning. A family representative condemned the disruption, urging politicians and their supporters to refrain from turning funerals into battlegrounds for political rivalry.
“The leaders who caused this chaos should understand that funerals are not places for political fights. We are mourning a loved one, and it is unfair to bring trouble during such a time,” the family spokesperson lamented.
The widow of the deceased also expressed her frustration, saying she was not given the opportunity to properly mourn her husband.
“I did not even get a chance to speak about my husband. The priest only gave me two minutes, and even then, people were making a lot of noise. My children, all 15 of them, did not get a chance to say anything,” she painfully recounted.
Political Accusations Fly Amidst the Chaos
The violence reportedly began shortly after Governor Fernandes Barasa arrived at the funeral, where former CS Rashid Echesa and Matungu MP Peter Nabulindo were already present. Youths allied to the political figures allegedly initiated the confrontation, escalating tensions.
In response to the incident, Governor Barasa distanced himself from the chaos and instead blamed the funeral organizers for failing to control the crowd. He urged political leaders to stop using funerals as platforms for political battles.
“As leaders, we must put an end to this habit of turning funerals into political rallies. If you have something to tell the people, organize your own meetings instead of disrupting mourning families,” Barasa stated.
Meanwhile, Matungu’s acting police commander, Jane Pascal, confirmed that despite the violence, no arrests had been made at the time. Authorities are continuing with investigations to determine the cause of the chaos and those responsible.
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