Chaos in Kisii as ODM, UDA legislators trade barbs in church

Chaos erupted on Sunday at a church event in Kisii disrupting a plannned fundraiser for hours.

Teargas cannister was lobbed at the pulpit as tension escalated, sending scores of worshipers running helter skelter around the swampy Etono grounds in Bomachoge Borabu before calm resumed.

The chaos forced the presiding cleric to do dramatic chants to ward off the 'dark cloud' that was hanging at the event.

The fundraiser had brought five PAG churches at Etono area which was attended by six MPs from across the political divide.

The fundraiser was being presided over by South Mugirango MP and Chief Whip Sylvanus Osoro.

ODM MPs Obadiah Barongo and Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi were in attendance.

Others in attendance were MPs Japhet Nyakundi (Kitutu Chache North) Alfa Miruka (Bomachoge Chache), Patrick Osero (Borabu) and several pro-UDA ward reps.

Kibagendi had taken to the podium when suddenly hell broke lose.

Pockets of youths sandwiched among the congregants started jeering at him.

At some point, the microphone he was using was snatched away as youths chased him off the podium deeper into the dias where other MPs were sitting.

When the chaos threatened to get out of control, a police officer unleashed a tear gas cannister, sending the attendees to scamper.

Some legislators scrambled for water to fend off the effects of the teargas before the fundraiser resumed albeit to tense atmosphere.

Bomachoge MP Obadiah Barongo said he had called Kibagendi as a "deployment to forestall attacks from the army of by UDA MPs that had attended the function".

Signs of trouble had manifested when the MP walked into the church escorted by dozens of unruly boda boda riders who kept jeering at the UDA leaders as they addressed.

When the heat increased, Bomachoge Chache MP Alfa Miruka fled.

South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro, later, calmed temperatures but took offense over the chaos.

He asked politicians to desist from violence especially in churches and  apologised for the ugly turn of events.

Osoro also asked the youth to desist from being used to cause chaos in functions.

"Nobody should die for any politician, all of us here are brothers. All of you willl leave this function to your respective homes as we go to town to eat lunch together," Osoro said.

North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko vouched for unity adding that it was lack of wisdom for political leaders to keep on fighting instead of concentrating on development.

He said it was time the Gusii leadership claimed the region's stature in national politics.

Kitutu Chache North MP and UDA national treasurer, Japhet Nyakundi, said it marked a low point for politicians to display supremacy battles especially in church.

Without humility, he stated , no leader succeeds in his political leadership.

"Let's learn to respect the altar, the church leadership and God. We cannot orchestrate violence in the name of politics," Nyakundi said.

Already, we are midway to another poll and it does not auger well to begin politicking at a time we should serve the electorate," he added.

The MP asked the youth to task their elected leaders for jobs and refuse to be exploited for hooliganism.

"Ask of the available opportunities for recruitment to government [and] training opportunities in colleges not being paid to boo leaders in functions," he said.

Nyakundi said already, the government was making efforts to improve the economy saying the reduction of the cost of farm inputs was part of the plan to ease the cost of living.

The MP also urged the residents to stay off harm's way as rains continue to pound the country.

"The weather is still promising us more rains and let's ensure we keep our children safe," the MP said.

Earlier, former Kiogoro MCA Samuel Apoko got into trouble with some rowdy youth when he attempted to plead with area MP Obadiah Barongo to work with UDA members.

The youth shouted him down accusing him of indirectly attacking the ODM legislator in his backyard.