A dramatic scene unfolded on Saturday, December 2, 2023, as a man grabbed a microphone from Azimio leader Raila Odinga during a burial ceremony in Kakamega.
Raila was attending the burial ceremony of former nominated Senator Godliver Omondi and had approached the podium to express his condolences when chaos erupted.
The ODM party leader was addressing mourners when some youth started fighting at the event, forcing him to try and calm the situation.
In the melee, one man, whose identity is yet to be established but is believed to be a member of the bereaved family, dashed towards the opposition chief and attempted to grab the microphone from him.
Raila obliged and handed over the microphone to the man, who aired his disappointment at the youth turning into chaos an otherwise good burial ceremony.
Raila expressed his displeasure over the chaos, hinting that they originated from the warring factions of Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and Mumias East MP Peter Salasya.
“The problem we are seeing here is because of the differences among politicians. This man Salasya is a young man, and he is energetic. I want him to respect the governor, and he will also be respected,” the opposition chief said.
Raila breathes fire over Kakamgea demolitions
On Friday, Raila condemned the recent demolitions in the Milimani Estate of Kakamega County, which took place to make way for an affordable housing project.
The former Prime Minister expressed his disapproval of the demolitions, which affected individuals like Lurambi MP Bishop Titus Khamala.
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“This is an act of bestiality that has been meted against our people of Kakamega. It is terrible that this should be happening under a government that came to power promising that it is going to be pro-people. We condemn this in the strongest terms possible,” he stated.
Raila emphasized that the Kenya Kwanza government must compensate the homeowners who suffered losses amounting to millions of shillings after their properties were destroyed.