Drama as State official chased from funeral

Bungoma East Assistant Commissioner Michael Taalam (right) with County Commissioner Maalim Mohamed at a past function. Taalam was chased from a the burial ceremony on Saturday. [PHOTO: TITUS OTEBA/STANDARD]

Bungoma, Kenya: There was drama during the burial of one of the victims of the Garissa University College massacre in Matisi village, Webuye West Constituency when the Bungoma East assistant commissioner Michael Taalam was chased away by mourners for branding the Luhya youths as terrorists

Mr Taalam had to cut short his speech when the youth rose towards him after he claimed that majority of terrorists came from Luhya land during the burial of Braton Wakhungu.

"You should not think that terrorists come from far. They even come from this place. Do you remember Elgiva Bwire from Budalang'i, the first terror suspect (sic)? He came from Luhyaland. So these people live among us," said Taalam.

This provoked youths who wanted to beat him up but his security detail shielded him. He was forced to leave the funeral before the burial.

Speaking at the funeral, Bungoma County Deputy Governor Hillary Chongwony eulogised the deceased as a person who would have assisted the family if the terrorists had not descended on the learning institution causing the havoc.

He condemned the attack and called on the Government security machinery to be on the high alert to avert such crisis from occurring in future.