Politician faces arrest over Rongo clashes

A senior politician in Nyanza faces arrest in connection with poll violence in which four youths were killed in Rongo.

Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere said those were involved in deadly attacks related to Orange Democratic Movement grassroots elections must be prosecuted regardless of their status in the society.

“Those involved in crime in the name of politics must be prosecuted expeditiously. It does not matter who is involved,” Mr Iteere said.

Had hired goons

A senior police officer privy to the investigation told the Nation that evidence showed the politician had hired goons who carried out the attacks.

Besides the attackers, the officer who requested anonymity said the politician would be arrested “in a matter of time.”

Mr Iteere said he was satisfied with the pace of the investigations.

Three people were killed when two groups of youths allied to rival politicians clashed at Kitere trading centre on December 11 while the fourth died while receiving treatment at a local hospital. (READ: Four killed as ODM meeting turns violent)

Meanwhile, Mr Iteere has ordered early security arrangements to ensure peaceful General Election in 2012.

The preparations would involve all officers undergoing refresher courses on crowd control and new laws that govern electoral campaigns.

“The time to lay the ground is now and all commanders, starting from the station level should take the initiative,” Mr Iteere said during the force’s end of year party at the police pavilion in South C at the weekend.

“ As we get into an election year, every symptom of using violence in politics must be decisively nipped in the bud,” he added.

Mr Iteere also urged the officers to prepare for increased demonstrations as the election date approaches.

More than 200 demos have rocked Nairobi since August 2010.