Politician stabbed during rally

A politician was stabbed in the back during an ODM rally which turned chaotic in Homa Bay County at the weekend.

Mr Zachary Muga, the newly elected Kasipul Kabondo ODM sub-branch chairman was roughed up and knifed by youth when during the rally, he confronted Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang — the county ODM chairman, and insisted that he was the bona fide party official.

Mr Muga was rushed to the Homa Bay District Hospital, but was later transferred to a hospital in Kisumu.
Another man alleged to be from ODM’s Mbita sub-branch was also injured during the scuffle.

He was taken to hospital where he was treated and discharged.

Despite the incident, the rally that was also attended by MPs James Rege (Karachuonyo), Joseph Oyugi Magwanga (Kasipul Kabondo) and Martin Otieno Ogindo (Rangwe) continued with security officers on guard.

Addressed the crowd

Mr Kajwang’, while addressing the crowd, took the opportunity to defend persistent attacks on his ministry over the issuance of national identity cards.

“It is unfair to persistently vilify my officers who work day and night while even the already processed ID cards are lying uncollected in various offices”, the minister said.

Tension, however, continued as several aspirants turned the occasion into a platform to market themselves instead of campaigning for Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Nyanza ODM coordinator Monica Amolo expressed disappointment over the persistent wrangles within some branches in the county.

In Busia County, Local Government Minister Paul Otuoma, former Attorney General Amos Wako and other party officials launched the ‘ODM Mashinani’ drive, pledging the nominations would be free and fare.

Speaking in Busia Town, Dr Otuoma urged residents to vet aspirants so as to elect honest leaders who could spearhead development.

Mr Wako, who is eyeing the county’s senate seat urged voters to elect leaders with experience. He noted that the county government needed focused and experienced leaders to manage resources well.

In Nakuru, delegates behind ‘ODM Mashinani’ revealed their plan to reach out to potential voters in the shortest time possible and encourage them to register as party members.

“We are optimistic that ODM stands more chances of winning the polls because of its national outlook and we want the party to go it alone in the next polls,” said Nakuru County ODM chairman Peter ole Osono.

In Kabarnet Town, an ‘ODM Mashinani’ meeting almost degenerated into chaos after angry youth disrupted it chanting anti-ODM slogans with others tearing party posters.

The officials were forced to move their meeting to Kaptimbor in the outskirts of the town.

Area party officials led by Baringo County chairman of Friends of Raila (Fora) Augustine Koros said the act was initiated by politicians who were panicking over ODM’s popularity.