Supporters of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and those of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula on Friday clashed during a burial ceremony in the Western region.
The two attended the burial ceremony of the wife of former Nominated MCA Phillip Nyongesa in Trans Nzoia County.
This was the first time in months that the two shared a podium as they have not been seeing eye to eye.
The two leaders have in the recent past disagreed on the Mulembe nation unity as well as on who deserves to be the community's kingpin.
Mourners had to flee for safety as police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse irate crowds.
The deceased Sarah Nyongesa had to be laid to rest hurriedly after the funeral service was aborted.
Wetang'ula in a statement after the fracas called for peace adding that respect during a burial ceremony ought to be upheld.
He at the same time asked security personnel to act on those behind the violence.
"It is disheartening and unacceptable that the late Sarah Nyongesa was not accorded the respect she deserved during her final farewell," Wetang'ula said.
"Regardless of their status, no leader should be permitted to exploit impunity and violence to sow discord and turmoil merely to gain political advantage."
He said for Kenya to grow, there is a need for respect and peace among its citizens.
Natembeya on his part said the quest to liberate the Luhya nation from poverty was on course.
He said those using violence to stop the bid will not be successful.
“Wanafikiri kuwa kuleta vita huu mchakato utasimama. Ndio mkoko umealika mauwa. Tutapambana hadi pale hii jamii yetu itakuwa liberated from poverty...hii ndege bado iko kwa runway,” he said.
(They think through violence they will stop the bid to liberate the Luhya community. It has just started. We will soldier on until this community is liberated from poverty. This plane is still on the runway)
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumincha who also attended the burial ceremony said she had never witnessed such chaos during someone's send-off.
"I want to tell leaders that people must stay in peace. Where there is no order, an order will be brought. Whether it is by fire or by fire," the CS said.
Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi warned leaders against violence saying those responsible would face the law regardless of their societal status.
"Trans Nzoia has been turned into a region set to hold elections soon. We won't allow this kind of activity to disrupt the peace of this region," he said.
Oyagi said politicians will not be allowed to put the lives of Kenyans in danger.
Natembeya had in February dismissed leaders from the community imposing themselves as kingpins and engaging in politics of worship.
"Our people have suffered because of the mistake of some leaders who purport to be kingpins and engaged in the politics of worship," he said.
''These leaders have done nothing to the community for years they have served in the government and elective positions."
Natembeya declared himself a self-made leader and dismissed the politics of worship.
"I am a self-made leader. I have worked hard to where I am today, and I will not worship or clap for leaders who call themselves kingpins and have done nothing for our community," he said.
