Two killed in chaos linked to ODM party elections

Two people died while four others were seriously injured following incidences that have been linked to the ongoing Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) grassroots polls in Awendo, Migori County. According to Rongo OCPD Jonathan Kisaka, the first incident happened on Sunday at around 8pm at Rongo Bus Park after a group of unknown people attacked others.

Awendo ODM sub-branch Secretary George Odede said Tobias Omondi, who was one of the people who were injured and later died at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, lost the North Sakwa Ward chairmanship in the elections.

Odede said some of his supporters had trailed their rivals up to Kanyawanga area in Rongo Constituency where a fight is said to have ensued. Kisaka also said the other victim was cornered yesterday morning after the public identified him to have been involved in the night fracas at Kanyawanga.

A boda boda rider who witnessed the incident at Kanyawanga said the victim, who was with two other people, was beaten senseless by a mob and succumbed to his injuries later. The other two suffered serious injuries. Police said the two incidences were isolated and could not be directly linked to the ongoing elections.

growing tension

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The incidences were a culmination of tension that has been witnessed in the entire Awendo Constituency where the sitting MP Jared K'Opiyo is fighting to take advantage of the amnesty that was extended by ODM to those who had defected to other parties to vie for grassroots positions.

On Sunday, two other people were seriously injured at North Sakwa after differences emerged over a list of delegates that had been drawn at Sakwa Kadera in Awendo. Gordon Ochieng and Nicholas Odhiambo were admitted to Rongo Sub-County Hospital where they were treated and later discharged. Meanwhile, ODM  has condemned the violence in ongoing party polls in Awendo Migori County.

"An unfortunate incident happened in Awendo where three people were injured during a riot. However, other parts of the counties had peaceful elections," said ODM Chairperson of the Electoral Board Judith Pareno.

The board said the Awendo elections were free and fair but an accident happened and the elected chairman was hit by a car while riding on a motorcycle. The supporters then attacked the occupants claiming they were sent by opponents to kill the chairman. Executive Director Oduor Ong'wen said such incidents should be avoided.