Drama erupted on Friday during the burial of Salome Ongwae, stepmother to former Kisii Governor James Ongwae, after a confrontation between two Members of Parliament escalated into a physical fight.
The incident occurred in Sensi Ward, Kisii County, where Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi (ODM) and Kitutu Chache North MP Japheth Nyakundi (UDA) clashed publicly over political differences in front of mourners.
In a video seen by FMFIX Hub, Kibagendi launched a verbal attack on President William Ruto, accusing him of betraying Kenyans.
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“We were hoodwinked as a community and as a nation to elect a President who is a liar…” he remarked before Nyakundi forcefully intervened.
The UDA lawmaker is seen grabbing the microphone from Kibagendi and attempting to push him off the podium.
The scuffle quickly escalated, forcing police and security personnel to step in and restore calm. The altercation disrupted the solemn ceremony and left mourners visibly shaken.
Other leaders present at the funeral included MPs Silvanus Osoro and Dorice Donya, as well as Senators Richard Onyanka and Okongo Omogeni.
Not the First Clash
This is not the first time ODM and UDA leaders from the Gusii region have exchanged blows in public. In May 2024, a fundraiser in Bomachoge Borabu turned chaotic when rival MPs confronted each other on the pulpit. Police were forced to lob teargas after youth supporting the opposing sides joined in the fracas.
After that incident, Nyakundi condemned the violence, stating, “We cannot be blessed if we come to church and bring violence and bring noise. We cannot even hear the word of the Lord.”
Bipartisan Unity in Question
The clash raises questions about the sincerity of the bipartisan framework announced in August, where President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga brought lawmakers from both sides together, pledging to put aside partisan rivalries and work jointly on a 10-point national agenda.
The leaders had committed to pushing reforms in healthcare, education, job creation, agriculture, infrastructure, social justice, and the fight against corruption, as well as ensuring justice for victims of past political violence.
Friday’s confrontation in Kisii, however, signals that deep political divisions remain alive at the grassroots level, despite top-level commitments to unity.