Kakamega: Family of late chief Odongo decries politically-induced chaos

The family of the late Chief Gerald Odongo whose burial was disrupted by chaos now wants the politicians accused of causing them double anguish to be held responsible.

Law enforcement officers at Odongo begin investigations into the events that led to his hurried burial amidst what the family says was politically-induced chaos.

Mzee Odongo's funeral and burial service was on Saturday the theatre of violence as politicians from the area engaged in a popularity contest that has left this grieving family counting even more losses.

“We feel pained, our father was a peaceful man who these two people knew, and for them to come and disrupt his funeral is totally unfortunate,” said Patrick Lutta.

The family says the funeral of their loved one had been planned to the last detail, but signs of trouble began showing early in the day.

“Many people arrived early and occupied the seats in the VIP we had to beg them to leave when the visitors arrived,” Lutta added.

The arrival of politicians in quick succession set off the sequence of events that descended into total chaos, denying family members the opportunity to eulogise the former chief and give him a befitting sendoff.

“Before the politicians came in it was totally calm, there was no problem trouble started when Echesa walked in then Nabulindo and then the governor,” Lutta said.

“Niko kule naomboleza mzee watu wanapiga gate, gate ikafunguliwa, wakazamia catering, wakaharibu chakula, caterers wakafunga service,” Odongo’s widow said.

The family now says it is trying to quantify the loss occasioned by the mayhem with the aim of compensating the service providers who were contracted on that fateful day...They also fault the politicians for not looking back after disrupting the funeral.