Tension high in Muhoroni after raid at polling station

Tension is high in Muhoroni following an attack on a polling station by youths.

Muhoroni is the border of Kericho and Kisumu counties

The youth attacked election officials at Bogwo Primary polling station in Soin/Sigowet constituency, Kericho County, Friday. 

They also blocked the Londiani-Muhoroni and other feeder roads connecting the polling stations.

GOONS

Mr Paul Ngeny said he was assaulted while running errands after voting.

"A group of about 20 [people] surrounded me and two others, claiming that we had gone to spy and take guns to be used to fight them.

"They beat us up and one of us was seriously injured,” Mr Ngeny said.

PRESIDING OFFICER

Earlier, goons had attacked the station before voting started.

"There has been a lot of tension here. Even yesterday (Wednesday) we were forced to sleep at Kipsitete trading centre following reports that the roads had been barricaded by youth who violently attacked people," Mr Gibson Cheruiyot, the presiding officer of Kapchebwai centre, said.

Deputy OCPD Nathan Sanya said there has been tension in Muhoroni.

"Some hooligans blocked people from voting at Bogwo leading to the moving of the polling station.

"The voters were duly informed of the changes and I am told the process is going on well," Mr Sanya said.

PEACE

Soin/Sigowet MP Kipsengeret Koros visited the area and called for peace.

"We have always lived peacefully here. Let not one voting process destroy the peace.

"....let us exercise patience and tolerance as we find a lasting solution," Mr Kipsengeret said.

Bogwo area is a settlement scheme occupied by the Luos and Kalenjins.

KISUMU

Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony and Senator Aaron Cheruiyot condemned the violence and called on their Kisumu counterparts (Governor Anyang Nyong’o and Senator Fred Outa) to help broker peace.

"I want to tell Kisumu leaders to talk to their people at the border to prevent war," Mr Cheruiyot said.