Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko has described ODM party leader Raila Odinga as a coward.
Sonko said the Friday incident in which Mr Odinga prematurely left during the burial ceremony of former Kathiani MP Wavinya Ndeti's husband showed cowardice on the part of the opposition chief.
During the event attended by high profile politicians, Mr Odinga left when the Senator prepared to read President Uhuru Kenyatta's speech.
Before, however, Sonko had caused a melee that almost degenerated into a fist fight when he declined to cut short his speech as requested by the day's master of ceremony.
There was commotion when the MC requested his (Sonko) microphone be switched off.
He had also described himself as 'acting president' since both President Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto were out of the country.
"I acted in my capacity as the Presidential representative to read to the leaders, family members and residents in attendance the President's speech," Sonko wrote on his official Facebook page.
"This seemed to rub the opposition leaders, to whom I duly respect, the wrong way. A clear act of cowardice and disrespect to the Presidency as the(y) walked out during my time (to speak)."
"This was further fuelled by the seemingly bitter rivalry between my party JAP and the wrangling CORD detach which was ably represented."
During the ceremony, Ms Ndeti had to intervene when the Senator refused to cut short his speech as requested.
He threw insults to mourners who included Mr Odinga, Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka, Ford Kenya's Moses Wetangula, former Cabinet Minister Charity Ngilu and a host of MPs from both the opposition and Jubilee.
Mr Odinga left the event before Sonko read President Kenyatta's speech shortly after the melee ensued.