The current political temperatures in Kisii County manifested yet again on Tuesday, after supports allied to former Nyaribari Chache MP Dr Robert Monda clashed with those of another former legislator Dr Chris Bichage at a funeral.
Trouble began after supporters allied to Bichage started chanting anti-Monda slogans, accusing the former leaders of engaging in propaganda campaigns against their preferred candidate.
Moments later, another section of supporters allied to Dr Monda responded by throwing stones to the rival groups, causing a premature disruption of the funeral of a former councilor.
“The two leaders are the most consistent in Nyaribari politics and their supporters are always in war of words. They exchanged blows and actually disrupted a funeral programme of Councilor John Opande. The situation was uncontrollable and the police had to intervene,” said Alex Moindi.
The situation was calmed after Bichage, who was in attendance appealed to his supporters to restrain from the violence, before Keroka police intervened.
“Bichage was quick to respond and he appealed to his supporters to calm down before police from Keroka intervened, otherwise we would have had many more casualties,” he added.
Two people have been arrested in connection with the incident that left five people seriously nursing injuries at Keroka District Hospital.
Bichage had won the 2013 election, defeating Monda, who was the immediate former MP before he lost to the incumbent leader Richard Tong’i following a by-election in 2014.