Police in Rarieda Sub County are investigating incidences of violence that left several people nursing injuries and disrupted voting exercise in the constituency.
Six ODM parliamentary candidates Otiende Amollo’s agents have made statements at Aram police station. They sought medical attention after being attacked by rival camp members.
Dr. Paul Saoke, Otiende’s chief agent sustained injuries after he was attacked by goons allegedly linked to UDM aspirant Augustino Neto at Ruma poling center in an ugly incident that also left scores of voters injured.
Following an altercation between Saoke, members of his camp, Neto was forced by the crowd to fire in the air to disperse them.
The incident which was reported at Aram police station elicited condemnation from leaders in the constituency.
The legislator stated that the law does NOT provide candidates with an express ticket to all polling centres. He also urged Neto, his main rival, to stop storming polling stations across the region because it only creates tension.
“The reason we have agents in every polling station is that they are the only people legally required to access the stations on our behalf. Our competitor has been harassing and beating my agents all day. I advised them that they report the matter to the police. I ask IEBC to strengthen security at the polling centers to avert incidences of violence,” Amollo said.
The UDM candidate who spoke to the media before the gun incident had alleged massive voter bribery by Amollo’s camp where voters were allegedly given money by Otiendes’ agents as they entered polling stations to buy their support.
Neto also criticized IEBC for deploying NYS police officers to guard the stations, claiming that they were incapable of providing security.
Other than Neto and Otiende, other candidates for Rarieda’s parliamentary seat are Joseph Okweso(DAP Kenya), Bernard Odinga(UDA), Andrew Otieno (“Independent”) and Isiah Muje (Independent).
Michael Muchiri, Siaya County Police Commandant, confirmed that police had done everything possible to contain the situation and added that additional investigation will be conducted into the individual incidents.
Brian Ondeng
Source: kenyanews