Migori MPs fight at funeral, trade barbs over State House visit

Two elected leaders exchanged blows at a funeral in Migori county on Sunday over State House visit by some opposition leaders.

Uriri MP Mark Nyamita and Migori Senator Eddy Oketch wrestled over the microphone, physically assaulted each other and fell off the podium.

This sparked a fight between their supporters and mourners during the funeral of Mzee Opiyo Osewe in Magongo village, Uriri constituency.

During the chaos, youths pelted vehicles with stones, broke chairs and pulled down tents as mourners scampered for safety. Church members who were presiding over the funeral had to rush off with the body for burial.

Migori Governor Ochillo Ayacko and several MCAs were among the leaders who were present.

Trouble started when former Uriri MP John Kobado, now the Migori Lands executive, rose to speak and castigated leaders who went to State House, including Nyamita.

At one point, Oketch asked Nyamita, who was standing next to him, to leave the podium as youths heckled and jeered. 

Nyamita left the podium but returned and tried to grab the mic from Oketch who was asking Ayacko to speak to the people.

“Leave the microphone, I am following protocol,” Oketch said.

The two jostled for the microphone and exchanged blows as orderlies and security tried to separate them. Nyamita later left and Ayacko gave his speech.

Before he left, Nyamita said, “I have seen youths fighting here, but politics should not divide us. Today we are in Uriri and next time we will be elsewhere in the county.”

Nyamita, a second-term legislator, denied stoking up political tension in the county by engaging in early 2027 campaigns for governor. He claimed Ayacko had panicked without him declaring his political stance.

“We have people who are walking in the county and have refused to deliver to voters, and when asked they only say Nyamita has gone to State House and has left the ODM party. I'm in my party to stay,” he said.

The legislator said Ayacko is like a man who marries a woman and instead of making babies with her, wakes up at night to listen if neighbours are hearing.

“Let nobody look for an excuse if they can’t deliver. If anybody fails to give voters service let them wait for the returning officer, Nyamita will not be there,” he said.

Oketch said Nyanza is united behind ODM and Raila Odinga as its leader, and will not allow anyone in the region to undermine them.

“Even if youths have been paid to heckle us here, we will stand firm and say what is wrong openly. Migori is an ODM zone and we will not allow rebellion,” he said.

When Ayacko stood to speak, he said, “We want to call for peace in Migori, we are going to deliver to all voters across the county and nothing will stop us.” 

The governor said ODM and leader Raila Odinga had urged legislators allied to the party to refrain from visiting State House.

“Those ending up in State House go for individual gratification and a few tokens,” Ayacko said.

He said they will not allow rebellion in Nyanza and will stand with “Raila Odinga even if we are few.”