Four hurt as violence rocks ODM rally in Homa Bay

Four people were injured when gunshots were fired during an ODM campaign rally to drum up support for its candidate in the Homa Bay senatorial by-election.

Violent youths smashed the vehicles of three MPs in a convoy at Olare shopping centre, signalling the hard task that ODM faces in securing the seat, which fell vacant after the death of Senator Otieno Kajwang’.

The party gave a direct nomination to Mr Kajwang’s brother Moses, sparking protests from other candidates who had expressed interest in the seat on an ODM ticket. Three of the candidates have since ditched the party and have said they would meet Moses at the ballot box.

One of them, Mr Silas Jakakimba, who has said he would vie for the seat on a UDM ticket, condemned the violence and called for tolerance.

“We have consistently called on our worthy opponents and their supporters to keep and maintain peace,” said the former aide of ODM leader Raila Odinga.

MP'S AIDE INJURED

An MP’s aide was admitted to a hospital with injuries. Mr Meshack Adoyo, a personal assistant of Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga, was seriously injured and was admitted to Homa Bay Level Four Hospital.

Three other people were treated and discharged.

Mr Magwanga said seven ODM supporters, including a bodyguard attached to Nyando MP Fred Outa, were seriously injured.

“My car, Outa’s car, John Mbadi and County Woman Representative Glady Wanga’s cars were smashed by hired thugs. We believe they are supporters of an ODM rival,” he said in a telephone interview.

Trouble for Mr Kajwang’ started when his team reached Olare, where a group of youths started shouting slogans denouncing his candidature in an area perceived to be the stronghold of Maendeleo Democratic Party candidate and former Rangwe MP Philip Okundi.

Youths heckled the ODM team that was led by Mr Mbadi, the party chairman, and Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga.

A confrontation ensued between Mr Okundi’s supporters and those allied to Mr Kajwang’ and in the ensuing confusion, a bodyguard in the convoy fired in the air to disperse the rowdy youths.

DIRECT NOMINATION

ODM gave Mr Kajwang’ a direct nomination, a move that locked out Mr Okundi and a host of other candidates, including Mr Caroli Omondi, Mr Fred Rabongo and Mr Jakakimba, All of whom had sought the ODM nomination.

After the confrontation died down, the ODM team moved to Ligisa market, where they addressed another rally. However, they avoided Homa Bay Town.

Their roadshow had started at Chabera in Kabondo Kasipul through Kadongo, Ringa, Oyugis and Kendu Bay, with the leaders addressing residents along their route.

At the Oyugis bus park, a section of the crowd demanded to know why ODM had not given them a chance to nominate their candidate.

The hostility compelled the leaders to cut short their speeches and speed towards Kendu Bay through Kosele.

In Kendu Bay Town, police were called in to restore order following a clash between rival youths after some of them opposed to the ODM nominee attempted to disrupt the tour before they were repulsed by party youths.

“We want election, not selection in ODM,” chanted the youths.

ALTERNATIVE TICKETS

In Nairobi, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) said it would not stop those who defected from ODM from vying for the seat on alternative tickets in the by-election slated for February 12.

IEBC chairman Ahmed Issack Hassan said the commission would follow the law in clearing all the candidates in the race for the seat.

“So long as one is on the party membership list then they qualify for nomination as per Section 24 (1) (c) and Section 14 of the Political Parties Act, which does not limit the period for resignation from political parties.”

Besides Mr Okundi and Mr Jakakimba, who have defected, former National Social Security Fund (NSSF) boss Rabongo has also joined the National Agenda Party of Kenya.

The registrar of political parties, Ms Lucy Ndung’u, said she would be in her office today to verify the registration status of the three.

“I have not been in (my) office, because of the holidays, but I will be working on Monday. It is then that we shall establish whether the candidates are duly registered in the parties that have nominated them as required by the law,” she told the Daily Nation.