Two killed as chaos rocks ODM polls in Migori
ODM Chairman John Mbadi (right), ODM National Election Board Chairman Judith Pareno, and ODM Executive Director Oduor Ogwen at a past function. Delegates in Migori on August 31, 2015 blamed the low turnout in the county's grassroots elections on poor publicity by the national office. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP.
What you need to know:
One man was killed in Awendo while the other died after rival groups clashed in Rongo on Sunday night.
County Police Commander David Kirui on Monday said the Rongo victim died while undergoing treatment at Kisii County Referral Hospital.
Several others who were injured in the violence were treated and discharged from various hospitals in the region.
Two people have been killed in chaos that rocked Orange Democratic Movement grassroots elections in Migori County, police say.
One man was killed in Awendo while the other died after rival groups clashed in Rongo on Sunday night.
County Police Commander David Kirui on Monday said the Rongo victim died while undergoing treatment at Kisii County Referral Hospital.
Several others injured in the violence were treated and discharged from various hospitals in the region.
However, the party's national officials on Monday denied the two deaths, saying had nothing to do with the polls.
PRESIDING OFFICERS VANISH
"Police in the county have confirmed that the deaths resulted from criminal acts that had nothing to do with party elections. Police have equally confirmed the victims had criminal records for which they were being sought by police," ODM Director of Elections Junet Mohammed said in a statement.
Mr Mohammed did not name the police chief (s) who contradicted the county commander's statement linking the deaths to the elections.
The polls have been marred by claims of irregularities, including altering of lists of delegates elected at the ward level.
In some areas, the elections failed to start after presiding officers vanished mysteriously.
On Sunday, there was a low turnout at the many polling centres Nation.co.ke team visited.
POOR TURNOUT
Some party members blamed the poor turnout on inadequate publicity by the party headquarters.
"Only politically active members have come out to participate in this exercise. Many members are not aware that our party is electing new officials, "said Mr John Onyango, a member of the party.
But Mr Mohammed also denied the poll have recorded a low turnout, saying there is "massive interest" in the elections.
"I have personally received pictures of winding queues of people waiting patiently and peacefully to elect their leaders at the village and constituency levels," he said in the statement.
Migori is among the few counties where the first phase of the polls is taking place.
The others are Vihiga, Kajiado, Kilifi, Marsabit and Wajir.
EYES ON 2017
The elections are under way in Suna East, Suna West, Kuria East, Kuria West, Nyatike, Awendo, Rongo and Uriri sub-counties.
The polls are pitting sitting MPs and ward representatives against their opponents, with many holding strategy meetings to woo supporters.
Suna West MP Joseph Ndiege is among the MPs camping on the ground to monitor the elections.
Mr Ndiege said the elections would strengthen ODM ahead of the 2017 General Election.
