A burial ceremony of a prominent businessman in Mt. Elgon, Bungoma County, on Sunday turned chaotic after supporters of the area Member of Parliament and those of his rival clashed.
A video capturing the incident showed Mt. Elgon MP Fred Chesebe Kapondi, dressed in a checked navy-blue blazer, charging towards a supporter of his rival, raining heavy blows on him before local residents intervened.
The fracas reportedly broke out when Masuti Chemasuet, a close confidant of politician Evans Kiprotich, started taking photos while the area MP was addressing mourners at the burial of businessman Peter Chepkech Zablon at Nasala village.
A confrontation then ensued leading to a physical exchange of blows as youth allied to the area legislator demanded for the photos to be deleted immediately.
The funeral was cut short and the coffin bearing the body of the deceased taken away by family members to the grave.
Addressing the press later on, Mr. Kiprotich condemned the incident, further vowing to take legal redress against the Mt. Elgon legislator.
The MP, on his part, said the elections were over and it was time to serve the electorate devoid of politics.
The incident, however, comes as no surprise to the locals who said it had become a norm for supporters of the two politicians to clash in funerals.
In 2016, there was a similar incident during the burial of Mzee Patrick Ngaina within Cheptais town where the rowdy supporters went head-to-head.