The residents of Gem constituency in Siaya have condemned a recent incident where a member of the county assembly was stabbed at a funeral and called for political maturity in the area.
The residents at the same time called on young politicians in the area to respect Azimio leader, Raila Odinga, adding that they will not allow those with divergent political views to demean Odinga’s image in a bid to please their masters.
Speaking in West Gem ward, the residents led by Collins Ong’wen and several ODM grassroots leaders lamented that a recent incident where an elected leader openly showed disrespect to the church and mourning family, resulting in an altercation that led to his stabbing must be condemned by all peace-loving citizens.
Ong’wen said that the MCA will have to apologize to the family of the late Stephen Apinda for turning a solemn occasion into a forum to show political might.
He at the same time cautioned some elected leaders in the area against evoking the names of President William Ruto and other top government officials to intimidate the locals into silence.
A women leader from East Gem, Caroline Awino called for respect to the opposition leader, Raila Odinga, adding that it was unfortunate that an elected leader from the constituency insinuated that the Azimio leader was too old.
She said no amount of propaganda will shake Raila’s political base and urged those who feel otherwise to resign and seek a fresh mandate from the electorate.
ODM party’s South Gem Ward Chairman Charles Ochieng’ and politician Bernard Otieno Ondego also condemned the emerging trend where politicians disrupt funerals and called on leaders both elected and non-elected to respect not only the living but the dead also.
Last weekend, chaos broke out at a funeral service in South Gem ward, with the area member of the county assembly, Brian Anyango Obiero being stabbed in the buttocks and other parts of the body.
The MCA was rushed to the Aga Khan hospital in Kisumu where he is still undergoing treatment.