Several people on Monday sustained injuries after police officers fired live bullets during a burial ceremony in Migori County.
Chaos erupted during the event when supporters of area Governor Okoth Obado and former Rongo MP Ochillo Ayacko clashed.
The two leaders had just arrived at the function when their followers started exchanging bitterly prompting the commotion.
On noticing that the two groups had deadly weapons, police officers took charge of the situation to avoid a bloody confrontation shooting live bullets in the air.
Fearing being hit by bullets, mourners together with local leaders took to their heels with some hiding under tables while the rest escaped to a neighbouring school.
In the ensuing melee, scores of people were trampled on and later rushed to nearby medical centres.
Defending the action of his officers, Migori County Police Commandant David Kirui said he would not shy away from dealing with cases of lawlessness.
“My officers acted in the best interest of peace and the funeral. We had to scare the fighting youths to allow the funeral service to proceed,” said Mr Kirui.
When normalcy was restored, the two leaders condemned the violent confrontations accusing each other of causing the chaos.
“Let us avoid chaos in public gatherings, including funerals because it is not necessary in this day and age,” urged Obado.
On the other hand, Mr Ayacko who has expresed interest in challenging for the Migori gubernatorial stated: “It is unfortunate that the police, whose responsibility is to maintain peace, can orchestrate such violence.”
The two had attended the burial of the father to North Kamagambo Ward Member of County Assembly Richard Sollo.