Governor Kingi calls for arrest of Malindi police chiefs after Ganda chaos
What you need to know:
- Governor Amason Kingi has called for the arrest of Malindi Sub County Police Commander Phillip Wambugu and his Deputy Solomon Kosgei for failing to prevent the Tuesday violence.
- Kingi said the Malindi police boss arrived with the convoy of the MP and even opened up the way for her to forcefully access the meeting venue.
- ODM Ganda Ward by-election candidate Ruben Katana's uncle was shot dead during the scuffle on Tuesday.
- Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa together with four others including two staff of her Kakuyuni home and her close confidant have been arrested in connection to the chaos and death.
Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi has called for the arrest of Malindi Sub County Police Commander Phillip Wambugu and his deputy Solomon Kosgei for failing to prevent the violence that led to the death of one person in Ganda Ward.
The governor also asked the Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai not to allow the two police bosses to oversee the security in the Thursday by-election.
Addressing a press conference outside his office on Wednesday where he was accompanied by four Kilifi legislators, he said the two police chiefs could have been compromised since they served the interests of Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa instead of preventing her from causing chaos at the ODM election agents' meeting.
OFFICERS AIDED JUMWA
''Evidence is there showing how the OCPD and his deputy escorted Ms Jumwa instead of stopping violence; we do not want them to be involved in the by-elections,'' he said.
The ODM governor in his last term in office called for investigations and prosecution of those who caused election chaos.
"Recently, President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga brought peace in our country through the handshake and they pledged that no blood shall be shed because of elections," he said, adding that "it is absurd that a few individuals are trying to bring bloodshed and violence at the grassroots when the two leaders have shown us the way to peace and harmony."
Mr Kingi was flanked by Kilifi MP Owen Baya, Kilifi Woman Rep Getrude Mbeyu, Michael Kingi (Magarini MP) and Teddy Mwambire (Ganze MP). The four were also present at the home of ODM Ganda MCA candidate Ruben Katana where his uncle was fatally shot.
Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa together with four others were arrested in connection to the violence and death. Chaos erupted when the MP stormed Mr Katana's home to stop an alleged illegal campaign meeting.
BY-ELECTION
Mr Kingi urged ODM supporters to come out in large numbers Thursday to vote to get Mr Katana's uncle "justice at the ballot".
Kilifi Sub-County police commander Ngigi Njoroge, who was present at the press briefing, assured locals that the police would provide security during the mini-poll.
''We have mobilised police officers from Malindi, Kilifi North and Magarini sub-counties to offer security to ensure there is peace. I urge residents in Ganda to turn out in large numbers to vote,'' said Mr Njoroge.
