A Siaya MCA was on Saturday stabbed five times after a fight broke out at a funeral following conflicting political utterances.
South Gem ward rep Brian Obiero, popularly known as Otuom Polo, was rushed to Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu where he remains admitted in critical condition.
He was stabbed by an unknown person at a funeral in his ward after an altercation over local politics.
Obiero was addressing mourners during the burial of Stephen Pinda Aloo at Pap Kapinda in Rera sublocation in Gem constituency when he was attacked by suspected goons.
The MCA had to jump on a motorcycle that sped off from the scene, saving him from the marauding crowd that was baying for his blood.
Trouble began after MCA exchanged words with residents over his decision to work with the area MP Elisha Odhiambo who has declared support for President Willian Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza government.
The residents, led by Kisumu city manager Abala Wanga, had told the MCA to rethink his decision as the public was not with him and the MP.
Gem is part of Siaya county where ODM leader Raila Odinga enjoys near fanatical support.
Wanga said he had been tasked by the ODM leadership to champion the party’s activities in the Gem constituency because the sitting MP had joined the government side.
But an adamant Obiero allegedly insisted that Odhiambo was still the people’s representative and he will continue working with him.
It was at this point that hell broke loose as boos and heckling intensified. The microphone was grabbed from the MCA as the suspected goons descended on him.
Gem subcounty police commander Cecilia Kemboi said the MCA suffered stab wounds on the buttocks, hands and had swollen eyes.
She said no suspect had been arrested so far.
“We are putting every effort to bring the culprits to justice,” Kemboi said.
The matter was reported at the Akala police station.
A witness at the funeral said mourners were allegedly angered by the MCA's utterance and grabbed the microphone from him before he was stabbed multiple times in the ensuing melee.
County assembly speaker George Okode and Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo are among the leaders who have since visited the MCA in the hospital.
A source at the hospital told the Star that the politician was rushed to the facility by a colleague.
He said the MCA had five stab wounds and was immediately taken to the theater.
Obiero won the South Gem MCA seat as an independent candidate during the December 8, 2022 by-election after narrowly beating Polycarp Wanga of ODM.
The election was postponed following the death of ODM candidate Nick Wanga, a month before the vote.