Drama ensued during the burial of a former councilor in Trans Nzoia following a scuffle pitting supporters of Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa and Rift valley commissioner George Natembeya.

The two leaders who have been thrown into fierce rivalry as they hunt for votes in a race to succeed area Governor Patrick Khaemba had attended the burial service of Ishmael Masinde at Lukhome primary school.

Trouble began when Saboti parliamentary aspirant Joseph Pepela took to the podium and attacked Natembeya, telling mourners to ignore his ambition alleging he was a foreigner from the neighbouring Bungoma county.

“We in Trans Nzoia are not ready for a governor who resides here but has a heart in Bungoma where he hails from,” Pepela said.

Pepela’s speech provoked jeers from Natembeya’s camp and cheers from Wamalwa’s supporters which halted the funeral service with the Salvation Army church taking the body of the deceased for burial in his compound.

The politicians remained at the school grounds with the hope that calm would be restored so that they could address the crowd that remained behind, but the shouting match continued.

The area Woman representative, Janet Nangabo, tried in vain to call the meeting to order by becoming the master of ceremony.

Wamalwa eventually took to the podium and invited his rival Natembeya to address the crowd before he could conclude, but the commissioner turned down the offer.

In the end the leaders, including Bungoma senator Moses Wetangula and local leaders, were not able to address the mourners owing to the ugly incident.

The Salvation Army church led by Captain Joseph Baraka blamed the politicians for the fracas, calling upon youths to desist from being used by politicians for their political interests