This archive report was first published on 20 June 2020.
On June 20, 2020, a heated succession rivalry in Western Kenya escalated into chaos at the burial of Luanda MP Chris Omulele's mother, Sofia Monyo.
Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi, who was representing Raila Odinga at the ceremony, was forced to cut short his speech after rowdy youth heckled him.
The MP had earlier told off a section of Luhya leaders, led by Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula, for linking Raila Odinga to wrangles within the Luhya community.
Angry youth threatened to attack Atandi, prompting the MP to stop his address and be escorted out of the burial by police.
"Whoever organised goons to attack MP Atandi of Alego Usonga at the funeral in Luanda, your days are numbered. If soft power makes no sense to you, hope hard power will," Saboti MP Caleb Amisi stated in response to the incident.
Atandi took to social media to deny reports that he was beaten up by the goons, maintaining that ODM was the party of choice in the Western region.
"Luanda is ODM zone and Ford Kenya cowards have no say," he posted on his Twitter account.
Atandi's comments come amid a bitter succession rivalry in Western Kenya, with Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi and Senator Wetangula accusing ODM boss Raila Odinga of fanning division in the Ford Kenya party.
During a rally on June 19, 2020, a section of leaders affirmed that Wetangula had the support of the region and they would not allow anyone to use them for their political gain.
