The funeral of former Migori county Orange Democratic Movement chairman Philip Makabong’o turned tragic as at least one person was left dead and several injured in clashes.
Makabong’o was born in 1956 and died on December 24 while receiving treatment in a local hospital.
In 2002, he unsuccessfully vied for the Rongo MP seat before he took up ODM party leadership, rising to the county chairmanship.
On Thursday his funeral procession from a mortuary in Rongo town to Rakwaro Catholic Church for requiem mass turned tragic after youths clashed.
The youths fought using stones and crude weapons, in a fight that ended up at the church as mass was ongoing.
The youths claimed that Rongo MP Paul Abuor is working with President William Ruto's government against calls by the ODM party leader Raila Odinga hence he should not be allowed to attend the funeral.
“From Rongo, we had one person who was referred and died at the hospital while receiving treatment,” Ian Omuom, the Migori Referral Hospital medical superintendent confirmed.
Police tried separating the youths who disrupted the funeral, and at least four youths were injured.
Three were rushed to Rongo subcounty hospital while one was referred to Migori town where he succumbed.
On Friday, tension was still evident at the funeral as some youths vowed that the legislator would not attend the function at the Rongo University grounds.
ODM leader Raila Odinga arrived at the function at around 10 am on Friday, while Abuor made a technical appearance at the venue but the youths threatened to cause mayhem forcing him to leave the function.
Armed police officers were forced to swing into action to restore order and avert more chaos.
Abuor has been vocal about why he chose to work with President Ruto and has been at loggerheads with Migori Governor Ochillo Ayacko and other leaders in the party.
