The funeral of veteran Kimilili resident James George Maruti, who was also a retired assistant chief, was interrupted briefly after supporters of Jubilee party clashed with their counterparts of the NASA coalition who were bracing for politicians to speak.
The funeral mass led by Kimilili Catholic Church parish priest Fr. John Sulumeti had been well conducted, only for the disruption to be witnessed after a section of youth belonging to the opposing camps started fighting for political reasons.
It took the intervention of the priest to calm the situation down and he cancelled the planned politicians’ speeches.
Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka had arrived earlier in a chopper, interrupting the funeral mass for a few minutes. Prior to that, his competitor Wycliff Wangamati was led to the venue by bicycles and motorbike operators chanting his name.
However, the two were forced to eat a humble pie after the Parish Priest resorted to lead the family and friends to bury the late Maruti leaving the two with their supporters at the venue who were chanting slogans of their political outfits.
Governor Lusaka, however, managed to address a crowd later and condemned divisive politics being propagated by some of the politicians during this campaign period saying they need to spread the message of peace.
He further called upon the residents to support the Jubilee government saying it has been able to initiate several development projects in the County and given another opportunity it will be able to initiate more.
Family members led by Sylvester Maruti the first born son applauded his late father’s life well lived, saying he was a great disciplinarian and an environmentalist.
