Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa are blaming each other following chaos that broke out during a funeral service in Matungu, Kakamega County.
In a statement on Saturday, February 8, Barasa condemned the incident, attributing the disorder to Echesa and his supporters
"I condemn the violence that occurred today in Matungu during Mzee Agostino Odongo's funeral. As a Senior Chief & Director at Mumias Outgrowers Company, he deserved a dignified send-off, not the chaos caused by Rashid Echesa. May Mzee rest in eternal peace," he said.
However, Echesa dismissed the allegations, instead accusing Barasa of instigating the disruption by bringing in unruly youths.
"It was quite uncouth, uncivilized, and uncultured for Governor Fernandes Barasa to storm the funeral procession of the Late Mzee Agostino Odongo with loutish and discourteous youths in the name of intimidating leaders who don't subscribe to his leadership," he claimed.
Read More
Echesa called for an investigation into the incident, emphasizing that Mzee Odongo’s funeral should have been conducted with dignity.
"Mzee Agostino Odongo was a respected, selfless, and welcoming leader. A former Senior Chief of the larger North Wanga location, Matungu, and Director at MOCO played a significant role in the sugarcane sector.
"The Late Odongo deserved a respectful send-off with decorum and majesty from his family, friends, and the community. I am therefore condemning Governor Barasa for his heinous act and call upon the security personnel to investigate this matter," he added.
Beyond the recent funeral incident in Matungu, Barasa and Echesa have been embroiled in other contentious encounters.
For instance, in March 2024, Echesa was arrested for his alleged involvement in an extortion ring targeting Governor Barasa.
He was accused of conspiring to defraud the governor by falsely accusing him of kidnapping and demanding substantial sums to drop the charges.
Echesa and his accomplices allegedly demanded Ksh 250 million and later Ksh 1.5 billion from Barasa.
In this case, Echesa faced multiple charges, including conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretenses.
Echesa had accused Barasa of orchestrating his abduction and assault, claiming that on March 5, Barasa, in collaboration with unknown individuals, illegally detained and assaulted him.
