Stop fighting in funerals, Wetang'ula and Mudavadi tell Western politicians

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi at a requiem service in honour of the late Malava MP Malulu Injendi in Kakamega County/HANDOUT

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula have raised concerns over the rise in confrontational politics in Western.

The two leaders prevailed on politicians from vote-rich regions to stop the trend that is becoming common in funerals.

They spoke during the requiem service in honour of the late Malava MP Malulu Injendi, who will be laid to rest on Tuesday, March 4.

Wetang'ula and Mudavadi noted that incidents where politicians fight in funerals are portraying the Mulembe nation negatively.

"Cases of politicians disrupting funerals as they battle for political supremacy are increasing. This is bad behaviour that should not be tolerated," Wetang'ula said.

He added: "The sponsored chaos leaves a trail of destruction, which later becomes costly to the bereaved families."

He called on leaders to respect the dead and reminded them that political might cannot be earned at funerals.

"I ask my colleagues to comfort the bereaved families instead of adding more pain to them through causing chaos and damage to property," he said.

On his part, Mudavadi asked politicians to be tolerant to one another.

He noted that fierce politics have no room in modern society.

"Stop misusing youths to cause chaos in funerals or public meetings. Chaos will not take you anywhere," Mudavadi urged politicians.

Noting that Malava electorate will wait longer before getting another MP due to delay in establishment of the IEBC, Speaker Wetang'ula assured them that he will ensure that their interests and projects started by the late Injendi are actualised.

To achieve this, he directed Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali to take charge of the Malava Constituency office and in consultation with him facilitate programmes that were being undertaken by the departed MP.

The programmes include issuance of bursaries and other NG-CDF-funded projects among others.

"This will help ensure continuity of services for the people of Malava before they elect a new MP to replace Hon Injendi," he said.

Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka, MPs, senior National and county government officers were present.

MPs paid a glowing tribute to the fallen Malava MP Hon Malulu Injendi during his requiem service in Malava Constituency.

The Western MPs Caucus, led by their chairman John Waluke (Sirisia), said Injendi was an admirable leader who had the interests of his people at heart.

"The fact that Injendi was doing his third term shows the love and confidence the electorate had in him," Waluke saidd.