Leaders call for arrest of MCA who knocked, run over woman

Dora Clara Ojenge, 25 at a hospital bed in Kisumu.She alleges that a Kakamega County MCA ran over her when she demanded to be paid Sh5,000 debt. [PHOTO:MAUREEN ODIWUOR/STANDARD]

Women leaders in Kisumu have reacted angrily to news that a Member of the County Assembly from Kakamega County used his car to run over a woman.

This follows the story carried by The Standard that highlighted the case of Dora Clara Ojenge, 25, who is admitted in critical condition at a hospital within Kisumu city.

Ms Ojenge accused Mayoni Ward Rep Libanus Oduor of knocking her down and running over her for demanding Sh5,000 he owed her and which she claimed he had refused to pay.

The incident allegedly happened on the night of December 18 outside a club on Makasembo Road in Kisumu town.

Kisumu County Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) nominated MCA Farida Salim said the MCA should be arrested and disarmed.

"The firearm he has should be taken away because he can harm others with it. Whatever mistake the woman committed, he had no right to take the law into his hands," she said.

She said the offence was an act of gender-based violence, which is illegal, immoral and unacceptable, and should not be taken lightly.

"The man is not sorry. If a lawmaker can harm the people he represents, this is an issue of integrity and he must be behind bars," said Ms Salim.

She said female MCAs in Kisumu were keen on following up the issue and ensuring that Ojenge got justice.

"The out of court settlement he is talking about is rubbish. The law must take its course," she said.

Kisumu County Women Leaders Caucus chairperson Mary Odhiambo condemned the act, saying no one was above the law and stringent action should be taken against the culprit.

"We will take the initiative to follow up the matter. It should not be left to die," she said.

And Kenya Female Advisory Organisation (Kefeado) Executive Director Easter Achieng said the Sexual Offences Act must be upheld in this matter.

She said Oduor should be arrested and made to relinquish the county seat he holds.

Bank overdraft

County Police Commandant Nelson Njiri said they were waiting for Ojenge to recover and record a written statement.

He said the matter was straightforward and they had so far recorded statements from other witnesses.

"We are waiting for Ojenge to get better and fill a P3 form so we know what charges to prefer against the MCA," he said.

When The Standard contacted the MCA, he said he knew Ojenge and claimed that she was the one who had borrowed his money, not vice versa.

"She borrowed Sh5,000 from me, which I sent her. Do I look like I can borrow money from anyone? For what? I could have even got a bank overdraft if I needed money," he said over the phone.

Oduor claimed he was not in Kisumu on the fateful day but in a hotel in Eldoret where he spent two nights.