As the burial of the former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati draws near, the government has issued strict guidelines to ensure a peaceful and dignified send-off for the deceased.
Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi while addressing the press on Thursday, March 6, warned that security agents would be on high alert to stop any potential disruptions.
Oyagi cautioned that security officers will not permit the assembly of groups of people in a manner suggesting political interests, adding that no form of mischief will be allowed.
"We are not going to condone any form of hooliganism, which is becoming a norm in this region where politicians are taking advantage of funerals to flex their political muscles,” the County Commissioner stated.
"We will not allow goons to take control of funerals, where people are mourning their departed loved ones, to cause mayhem. This has to stop," he added.
According to him, those planning to attend the burial should not wear political party regalia, as the event is a burial and not a political gathering.
“We will not allow people dressed in political party regalia to attend the event on that day. Whether it is a shirt or a cap, it will not be permitted. I say this because the event is not a political gathering,” Oyagi declared.
The warning comes amid reports circulating on social media suggesting possible chaos, with claims that hired goons, allegedly deployed by unnamed politicians, were planning to boo their rivals.
The latest directive echoes Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya’s earlier sentiments, in which he called for unity and respect as the county prepares to lay to rest one of its distinguished sons.
Addressing Trans Nzoia residents on Wednesday, March 5, Natembeya reiterated that Chebukati’s burial would not be a battleground for political supremacy.
The former police boss cryptically hit out at National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula whom he allegedly accused of planning to fuel political division in Western Kenya during the burial.
"In events that involve Trans Nzoia, please allow us to handle such, now reports are going viral that there will be chaos when Chebukati is buried, we will not fight but we will not relent," Natembeya said.
"We cannot fail to plan Chebukati's burial, if Wetangula will come as a Ford Kenya party leader, we will deal with that, but if he comes as a Speaker of the National Assembly we will respect him," he added.
