Nyamira politicians battle at bright leukaemia victim’s burial, police shoot to disperse crowd

The late Perminus Nyakundi, who was battling leukemia but still managed to score straight As in 2012 KCSE examinations.

NYAMIRA COUNTY: Drama and political argument marred a burial ceremony in Nyamira County as Kitutu Masaba MP Timothy Bosire and immediate former MP Walter Nyambati exchanged bitter words even as the clergy tried to calm them down.

Mourners watched in disbelief as politicians turned the burial to a political rally forcing Nyakundi's friends to carry his body to the grave side.

Hell broke loose when Bosire stood and snatched the microphone from Domnic Matoke, Nyamira County Government’s Political Advisor who represented Governor John Nyangarama.

Immediately supporters of the two factions began shouting at each other forcing police officers to shot in the air to disperse the surging crowd. The gathering remained adamant demanding Bosire to leave the venue amid heavy rainfall.

Nyambati accuses Bosire of sitting on the fence when the poor family needed his financial support only to show up during the burial.

“Bosire should listen to the views of his constituents and support the government because they are the ones who gave him the mandate to represent them in Parliament. Convince resident in Kitutu Masaba that you are a leader they wanted and a leader they will never regret having," said Nyambati.

However, Bosire faulted Nyambati of hooliganism and to prove his popularity let him call for a political rally so that we know who is more powerful.

"These are just political thugs who lack knowledge; they go everywhere confusing residents and inciting Kenyans. I will not accept such characters to delay our development agenda," said Bosire.

The incident has raised sharp reactions from residents who are shocked on whether politicians ever realize the presence of bereaved families as they carry on with their supremacy wars.

Area resident and former Kisii Mayor Aloise Moseti claimed the constituency lags behind in development because political leaders have embraced confrontational politics which has alienated constituents from government.

"This is a well-crafted message to all those leaders who lead the very sheep they are given mandate over to the desert where there is no grass. You can't leave your people suffering and expect them to respect you," said Moseti.

Several politicians turned up for the burial ceremony of a young university Student, Perminus Nyakundi.

The burial ceremony, which attracted a host of political and professional leaders from Gusii region, was turned to a political venue in front of thousands of mourners who had come to bid farewell to Nyakundi who succumbed to Leukemia while undergoing treatment in India.