The family of Chief Augustine Odongo, whose funeral was disrupted by clashes between rival political sides over the weekend, has suffered another blow just days after laying him to rest.
This comes after the events company hired to plan the ceremony issued a demand letter seeking over Ksh1.5 million in compensation for damages.
The company is also accusing the family of failing to ensure there was sufficient security at the event, which was attended by notable politicians, including Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa, and area Member of Parliament Peter Oscar Nabulando.
The letter, dated February 10, listed all equipment reportedly damaged during the fracas, totalling Ksh1,561,850. It included eight LED screens worth Ksh640,000 and four speakers worth Ksh320,000.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa holds a County Budget Review and Outlook Paper (CBROP 2023) meeting on October 4, 2023.
Photo
County Government of Kakamega
Others include a microphone valued at Ksh150,000 and the infamous VIP red chairs, which were strewn around during the clash, totalling Ksh160,000.
If the demand is not met within the next 14 days, the company has threatened to take legal action against the family to recover its losses.
This demand comes even as the family returned all contributions made by two of the politicians in attendance—the former Sports CS and the area MP.
The deceased’s son condemned the conduct of the politicians, who reportedly knew the family well, for bringing chaos to his father’s funeral instead of granting him the respect he deserved.
“Our father was a peaceful man, whom these two gentlemen knew as their uncle. Rashid Echesa was a friend of our late father. Peter Nabulindo was a friend of our late father, who himself admitted to giving him advice when he was running for election. For them to come and disrupt his funeral is totally unfortunate,” the son relayed.
On Saturday, February 8, several mourners, including a police officer, were injured when supporters from opposing sides of Governor Fernandes Barasa and the former Sports CS confronted each other, turning the solemn ceremony into chaos and forcing the family to hurry the process.
They hurled chairs at each other, ultimately leading to the damages that the family is now responsible for covering.
Family members, including the widow, lost the chance to make an impactful address at the funeral, saying, “I did not even say something about my husband. The priest only gave me two minutes, during which I spoke to people who were making a lot of noise. Even my children, 15 of them, did not talk.”
The three leaders have since recorded statements with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) after being summoned to assist with investigations into the matter.
Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa at a Nairobi court on February 17, 2020.
Photo
Evans Habil