Chaos and political recriminations overshadowed the burial of the father of Seme Member of Parliament James Nyikal in Kisumu County on Saturday after hired goons disrupted proceedings and forced Siaya Governor James Orengo to leave the venue.

According to Dr Nyikal, the goons had been retained by Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda. Prof Ojienda, a law professor, is one of several legislators and government functionaries that face allegations of using violence to assert themselves politically.

That a law professor lowered himself to the level of a thug elicited harsh response from the bereaved lawmaker, Dr Nyikal.

Nyikal has publicly criticised Kisumu Senator Ojienda for his involvement in a chaotic incident at his father’s funeral. Nyikal accused Ojienda of bringing goons to the funeral, which nearly endangered his son. In his confrontation, Nyikal questioned the nature of political popularity and warned that true leaders should be able to attend community events without needing large entourages. He emphasised the importance of integrity over intimidation in politics and called for a change in the political culture of goonism in Nyanza politics.

“Let us be truly popular; let us be able to walk to funerals alone. I think popularity is love; you may get it with money, but it will be lust, not love,” he warned the senator.

The incident, which laid bare deepening cracks in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) saw a group of rowdy youth storm the section reserved for leaders, chanting slogans and demanding that Orengo exits before the ceremony could proceed.

Tension had been building from the moment the governor arrived with sections of mourners appearing agitated. The situation escalated midway through speeches when the rowdy youth advanced toward the dais where senior leaders that included MPs, governors and senators were seated. Then a scuffle ensued, briefly halting the funeral programme.

Orengo, a key figure in the emerging Linda Mwananchi faction of ODM was whisked away from the venue as clergy struggled to restore calm.

Church leaders, led by the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Maseno South Diocese Bishop Charles Ong’injo intervened and urged mourners to respect the sanctity of the funeral and the dignity of the deceased.

Following Orengo’s exit, normalcy returned and the programme resumed but not before leaders took turns to condemn the disruption.

Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o termed the incident disgraceful, saying it dishonoured the memory of the departed elder.

“It is unacceptable for leaders to preside over chaos at a funeral. We must exercise decorum and uphold peace,” Nyong’o said.

ODM National Chair Gladys Wanga reaffirmed the party’s position in the broad-based government, dismissing dissenting factions.

“We know where we have come from and where we are going. We are in the broad-based government to stay,” she said, accusing rival camps of attempting to divide the party against the vision of party leader Raila Odinga.

Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko urged politicians to focus on service delivery rather than political rivalry.

“Whether you are for one term or two term, let us prioritise what benefits our people,” he said.

Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga called for unity within ODM and warned that internal divisions could weaken the party ahead of future political engagements.

“As senior party members, we must sit down with the clergy and reconcile these factions. A divided party achieves nothing,” she said.

However, the most direct accusations came from host MP Nyikal, who blamed Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda for allegedly facilitating the chaos.

“You are the one who walked in with these people. When I asked you to stop them, did you?” Nyikal posed, alleging that hired goons had infiltrated the funeral.

He decried the growing trend of politicians ferrying rowdy youth to public events to project popularity.

“These people almost harmed my son. Why must leaders move around with goons disguised as supporters?” he lamented.

In his address, Bishop Ong’injo condemned the violence, calling it deeply unfortunate and urging restraint among political actors. He also took aim at the growing culture of political sloganeering, warning leaders against what he termed nonsensical slogans at solemn events.

The bishop challenged politicians to prioritise meaningful service and accountability over empty rhetoric, cautioning that funerals should not be turned into arenas for political theatrics but remain spaces of respect and reflection.

The late Eliud Nyikal Okaka was laid to rest at his rural home in Seme, Kisumu County, as the disruption highlighted escalating tensions within ODM, turning what should have been a solemn farewell into a stark display of political divisions in the region.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Chris Mahandara