Ugenya MP Attacked by Rowdy Youth in Funeral
Ugenya MP Attacked by Rowdy Youth in Funeral
Ugenya MP Attacked by Rowdy Youth in Funeral
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga was present at the funeral of former Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) official William Ohonde at Ligega Village in Ugenya Constituency on Saturday when Ochieng, the MP for Ugenya, was escorted out after raucous youth threatened to abuse him.Ochieng, who was formerly associated with Azimio, has recently defected and sworn allegiance to President William Ruto, a political manoeuvre that has rendered him unpopular with the people of Nyanza.
The young people heckled and yelled at him during the funeral because of his political affiliations. This is what has happened to all ODM rebels who have defied Raila Odinga, the opposition leader who is from the Nyanza area.Chaos broke out just as he was ready to speak, prompting his security to open fire.
A conflict between devoted ODM supporters and a group of young people who have grown tolerant of the administration set off the turmoil. It started with words and eventually descended into physical violence.Before the MP could finish his speech, someone in the audience attacked him, tackling him and taking the microphone away from him.
His assistants would then shoot into the air and whisk Ochieng, who had been invited to speak at the funeral, away to safety.Raila Odinga and other party members, including National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi and Siaya Governor James Orengo, stayed riveted to their seats as all of this was going on.
Some attendees were hurt, and property was damaged during the turmoil.Tensions increased during the burial process when some of the young people there started screaming Kenya Kwanza chants while other politicians spoke.
Later, Raila would denounce the act, calling it backward. He counseled leaders to develop their public speaking skills.The former prime minister also criticized the administration for charging Kenyans too much and wasting funds intended for economic growth.Speaking during the burial, Orengo advised authorities to exercise caution in their public pronouncements and accused the Ugenya MP of starting the commotion.
