[Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto in a past function. Supporters believed to be his clashed with those of his rival Joyce Laboso at a funeral on Saturday. Photo/Nation]
A burial at Olbuyo village in Chepalungu constituency ended prematurely after supporters believed to be backing governor Isaac Ruto clashed with those supporting Sotik MP Joyce Laboso.
Laboso, who also doubles as National Assembly Deputy Speaker clinched Jubilee ticket and is set to face Mr. Rutto of Mashinani party.
Trouble began when Rutto arrived in the venue with a company of hundreds of youths dressed in colours synonymous with his Mashinani party, shouting along the way in support of their governor.
They then descended on a man believed to be a supporter of Jubilee after he shouted the ‘Tuko Pamoja’ slogan, injuring him badly.
And in quick respond, a section of Jubilee supporters responded by attacking the rowdy youths but were subsequently subdued by Rutto’s supporters leading to temporary disruption of Saturday’s funeral.
Laboso, who had just finished addressing mourners, condemned the incident and challenged the governor to respect funerals.
“Burials should not be used to display political supremacies. We all came to condole with the bereaved family,” she said.
But Rutto seized the opportunity to condemn Jubilee supporters for disrupting social functions across the country.