Gusii leaders turning solemn moments into scenes of violence and bloodshe

BY ERIC ABUGA

Once sacred spaces for grief and remembrance, funeral services in Gusii region are fast turning into battle grounds for political supremacy.

Supporters of rival politicians exchange blows, hurling insults and in some instances spill blood to the resentment of bereaved families.

With the 2027 political duel already shaping up, the big questions remain on whether the security officers will be able to curb the vice.

In a recent funeral service held at Marani playground in Kitutu Chache South, a well-built man and a group of more than 50 men walked in into the venue armed with bats.

Police watched from a distance as the men caused mayhem walking from one end of the venue to the other forcing mourners to succumb for safety.

It took the retaliation of another group of men to calm the situation but not after the leader of the first group had been injured.

A week before the incident, another show of political supremacy was held at another funeral in Nyaribo after it had emerged that the funeral committee at the event had planned to lock out the area MP from addressing the mourners.

A fight ensued at the podium as the family and the clergy watched in awe. The area MP was forced to walk out with nearly half of the mourners behind him.

The MP could address his supporters in the nearby primary school, less than two kilometers from where the funeral service was being conducted.

Last week during his security meeting in Western Kenya, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said a special police unit will be deployed to the region and parts of the Country to quell such chaos.

He said an MCA has been walking to funerals with more than 100 people. “They call them their gangs. The scale goes up to other ranks of elected leaders.”

The CS said, “Goons and gangs’ business have become prevalent because it is paying with a stipend every time there is an event. No one will be shared. Politicians too will face the law because they are the ones who pay for such activities.”

On Friday, in another burial service in Kitutu Chache North area MP Japhet Nyakundi almost went physical with his counterpart from Kitutu Chache South, Anthony Kibagedi.

As the two leaders crashed, a group of more than 100 men rose the podium in a move to protect their masters. 

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu who had attended the funeral let in hurry as the chaos escalated.

Nyamira Senator Okongo Omogeni addressed the mourners after the situation had calmed, took the opportunity to remind his colleagues of the importance of keeping peace and respect bereaved families and each other.

“It is shameful tat we are turning against one another because of politics. We are sending a negative image to those who could want to support us politically. Let each o us hold political opinion with respect and maturity.”

A member of the bereaved family and former Kisii Governor James Ongwae had early called on the leadership to keep of politics.

“Let us respect the dead. The deceased mother always advocated peace and unity. We must have the manners to respect those who have died. The community’s social fabric is key.”

Nyakundi who addressed the media separately said he will no allow individulas to continue causing chaos in funerals. "This will not happen in my counstituency. Support whoever you want but we will deal with those whose aim is to cause distractions in funerals."

In his response Kibagendi, a criic of Presiden William said those of contray opinion against the current regime will no be intimidated. "We have the backing of Kenyans and we will them so. We have a candidate from this community that we have to suport."

Behind all this chaos is the leadership of the community that has refused to learn from previous incidents which has either led to death or serious injuries inflicted on the hired men.

The chaos that seems well organized in funerals seem to erode the Gusii cultural practices on how to conduct the final burial rites.