This archive report was first published on 26 June 2021.
On June 12, a funeral in Bungoma turned violent when a scuffle broke out between Kabula Member of County Assembly Vitalis Nyongesa and a group of youths.
The incident occurred during the burial of Vincent Wasike in Tuuti village, Kanduyi Sub County, which was attended by Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula and former Bumula MP Wakoli Bifwoli.
Police were forced to shoot in the air to disperse the crowd, which had become aggressive after the scuffle.
This is not the first time violence has erupted at a funeral in Bungoma. In June, Lwandanyi MCA Tony Barasa was dragged off the podium by supporters of Governor Wycliffe Wangamati during a funeral in the same county.
Barasa had reported the incident to the police, claiming his life was in danger, but no action had been taken.
Governor Wangamati condemned the incident, promising to factor in the youth in appointments of village administrators.
“We don’t want politics of wars and division, we want peace in Bungoma and when you criticize, do so constructively,” Wangamati cautioned.
