Political commentator Kipchumba Karori says that the unrest that was witnessed in Mumias, Kakamega County on Saturday, was about fears of a possible political endorsement.
A section of Western Kenya politicians, led by former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, clashed with the police at Nabongo Grounds, after defying orders against holding a rally.
Karori says that the group proceeded with the rally, parallel to another one in Bukhungu Stadium, in a bid to water down the Bukhungu one and prevent any political declaration.
He says that the group feared that COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli and Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala would use the event to rally the region behind ODM leader Raila Odinga.
"The feeling among the other camp where akina Washiali (Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali) were was that this was a coronation event where Atwoli and Malala want to send Luhyas to Raila," he said on Sunday.
The commentator remarked that the suspicion about Atwoli, could be as a result of his closeness to the former Prime Minister, which makes some think he is an agent of Odinga.
"There is always that friction when Atwoli wants to bring people together because there is a feeling that he is an agent of Raila Odinga," he added.
However, leaders who attended the function endorsed the BBI initiative, with the five Western Kenya governors giving a list of things they want included in the final BBI report.
In Mumias, the planned event did not happen after the police foiled it, cordoning off the venue.