My Trousers Were Torn - George Natembeya Speaks after Clash with Wetang'ula at Funeral

Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya has condemned the chaos that rocked a funeral event in Kwanza on Friday, March 22.

Leaders among, them National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and Natembeya, were attending the burial of former Nominated MCA Philip Nyongesa in Goseta.

Wetang'ula and Natembeya's supporters would later clash, leading to chaos and running battle, prompting action from police officers who were forced to lob tear gas canisters to quell the chaos.

Speaking later in his office, Natembeya claimed the clash was motivated by his resolve to steer Western Kenya to national leadership.

For a time, the outspoken governor had poked holes in Wetang'ula's capacity to be the region's kingpin to be likened to the late Masinde Muliro, Kijana Wamalwa etc.

Natembeya said he was roughed up in the midst of the chaos, having his pants torn at some point.

"It is not right to bring chaos to a funeral. My trousers were torn. How do you risk the life of a leader yet you pretend to be a leader? We live in peace in Trans Nzoia and we would not allow outsiders to disrupt. We will not allow the politics by Ford Kenya where people carry crude weapons even when going to funerals," said Natembeya.

The governor vowed to continue rallying all the counties in Western to demand fair treatment in the national government.

On his part, Wetang'ula blamed Natembeya for plotting the clash.

"The disruption of the burial I attended in Kwanza Constituency, Trans-Nzoia County, by a wave of political intolerance and chaos, is deeply regrettable. We implore the authorities to address this situation with the full force of the law," he said.

"Regardless of their status, no leader should be permitted to exploit impunity and violence to sow discord and turmoil merely to gain political advantage. I urge the youth to refrain from being manipulated into instigating disorder by the political class," he added.