A grieving family in Trans Nzoia was forced to halt a funeral service midway after chaos erupted leaving scores injured.
According to witnesses, the mourners became unruly after National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and the Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya arrived for the service.
Mourners scampered for safety after the supporters of the two leaders became unruly and ungovernable as the rivalry between Natembeya and Wetangula manifested.
The governor was whisked away to safety by his security team during the chaos while Wetangula remained at the venue.
Subsequently, the family of the deceased was forced to proceeded to bury their loved one without finishing the service as everything plunged into disarray.
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Natembeya and Wetangula Speak After the Chaos
Speaking after calm was restored at the venue, the National Assembly speaker accused some individuals of causing chaos at funerals when they don’t even know the deceased.
“It is disheartening and unacceptable that the late Sarah was not accorded the respect she deserved during her final farewell.
“Regardless of their status, no leader should be permitted to exploit impunity and violence to sow discord and turmoil merely to gain political advantage,” Wetangula said.
On the other hand, Natembeya, who claimed that his clothes were torn in the melee, said that there were individuals who were out to ruin the leadership of the Western region.
“There are laws that have started interfering with the politics of the western region. We cannot allow that to happen. People are now surprised because the benefits they have been getting alone are slowly ending,” he said.
The two leaders were at the funeral of Sarah Nyongesa, the wife to the former Nominated MCA Philip Nyongesa.
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Conflict Between the Two Leaders
The squabble between the two began when President William Ruto ordered the eviction of illegal settlers occupying the Kitale prison land in Trans Nzoia County.
In response, Wetangula publicly opposed the move accusing Natembeya of instigating the reclamation of the 2,700-acre land.
On his part, Natembeya stated that the eviction stemmed from a presidential directive adding that it is a national government matter.
Also, he denied any personal gains from the land dispute. According to him, it was important to solve the affordable housing crisis in the region.
