Youth chase minister away from funeral

By Robert Wanyonyi

Political rivalry in Ford-Kenya intensified when Lands Assistant Minister Bifwoli Wakoli fled from an irate crowd at a funeral.

He was forced to leave before addressing mourners at the burial of a teacher, Peter Sibollo, at Nangili village, Sirisia constituency in Bungoma District.

Youths claiming to be Cabinet Minister Moses Wetangula’s supporters accosted Wakoli and accused him of trying to sabotage Wetangula’s presidential bid by making "unnecessary inroads in the constituency".

Sensing danger, Wakoli rushed to his vehicle under heavy guard from his bodyguards, who threatened to shoot anybody who got in the way.

Speaking to The Standard on telephone, Wakoli blamed Wetangula for the incident, terming it "primitive and old-fashioned".

"I went to that funeral because the bereaved are my neighbours in my wife’s home in Sirisia," he said.

He added: "We are all in Ford-Kenya and Wetangula is free to tour Bumula constituency and sell his presidential ambitions."

Wakoli added that he had reported the matter at the Bungoma Police Station. Wetangula arrived after the burial, but declined to comment.