The man alleged that two separate groups were mobilised ahead of the Sunday service at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Milimani.
He claimed that one group had been recruited to provide security for leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement, while another group had allegedly been assembled to disrupt the gathering.
He further alleged that members of one group were promised KSh500 each, while those in the rival group were offered KSh2,000.
He also claimed that the two people who lost their lives during the violence belonged to the opposing groups. These assertions remain unconfirmed and form no part of the official investigation at this stage.
One of the victims was identified as 31-year-old Dickson Oduor, a nightclub bouncer who had reportedly completed an overnight work shift before the incident.
His father, Joseph Asembo, said they briefly met outside their home that morning, where Dickson handed him KSh50 as a church offering before they went their separate ways.
Joseph said he later returned home after attending church only to find his family in distress. He was subsequently taken to a mortuary, where he identified his son's body.
According to the family, Dickson sustained stab wounds to the chest and stomach before his body was transferred to the Kisumu County Referral Hospital mortuary.
Dickson's mother, Mary Asembo, said her son had intended to rest after work but received a phone call that prompted him to leave home for what she understood to be a political gathering.
The violence erupted as Siaya Governor James Orengo and Nairobi Governor Edwin Sifuna attended the church service. Reports indicate that armed youths attempted to force their way into the church compound, prompting police to fire tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Several worshippers and political leaders were reportedly trapped inside the church during the chaos, while nine motorcycles were set on fire.
Kisumu County Commissioner Mohammed Mwabudzo said security agencies had received intelligence before the event and deployed officers in advance to prevent greater loss of life.
He stated that investigators believe many youths were recruited at Victoria Park before being transported to the church, where they were allegedly armed and briefed on their roles.
Mwabudzo condemned the alleged use of young people in political confrontations and warned that anyone found to have financed or organised the violence would face investigation.
Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o also condemned the incident, describing it as a carefully planned criminal act rather than ordinary political unrest.
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Politics