Kitui Governor Julius Malombe was on Friday forced to flee after reportedly being stoned by an angry mob during the burial of former Kitui mayor Martha Mwangangi, who was crushed by a county fire engine a week ago.
The governor had just arrived at the ceremony which was also attended by former Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu when the ugly confrontations began with the group chanting hatutaki Malombe huku (we don't want Malombe here).
The family of the deceased protested the presence of the governor and returned the casket back to the house declaring that the burial would not proceed until he left.
Mourners who had attended the event confronted Malombe threatening to rough him up and eventually violently forced him out of the area.
Police officers, who had been deployed to ensure security at the event, are said to have been overwhelmed by the angry crowd but the governor eventually managed to safely sneak out of the mayhem.
Ngilu, who was a close ally of the deceased, later addressed the mourners after calm was restored and the burial later proceeded.
Ms Mwangangi was killed a week ago after being run over by the truck which is said to have been scaring protesters who were demonstrating against demolishing of Kiosks in the town.
The family of the deceased had on Thursday sent a letter to Malombe ordering him not to show up at the burial noting that it was private, therefore, they had a right to determine who attended.
Here is the letter:
