Magara attacked as voting starts in Kitutu Masaba

Business

By Kenan Miruka, Robert Nyasato and Naftali Makori††

Former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara sustained injuries after he was attacked by youth in Kitutu Masaba over allegations of voters bribery.

Magara was ambushed by a group of youth as he left Matongo polling station a few minutes after 9pm on Sunday night.

The youth numbering about six armed with crude weapons accused the former legislator of engaging in vote buying. They smashed his saloon car and attacked him.

Former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara was on Sunday night attacked over allegations of voter bribery. [Photo: File/Standard]

The former MP sustained cuts on the head and hands.

Other occupants in the car raised alarm prompting the attackers to flee.

Police rushed the politician to Ram Hospital in Kisii town where he was admitted for the better part of the night.

"I was transporting agents for PNU candidate Walter Nyambati to various polling stations when the youth attacked my car. These are acts of violence that we don’t expect in this day and age but this will not deter my quest to serve this country," said Magara.

He later filed a report at Keroka police station before traveling to Nairobi for further treatment on Monday morning.

Several candidates including ODM’s Timothy Bosire and VIPA’s Alex Apoko popularly known as Ringtone claimed Magara was engaging in voter bribery when he was attacked.

In a statement issued to the press, ODM’s executive director Janet Ongera said the party was concerned over massive vote buying, bribery and destruction of voters’ cards in Kitutu Masaba by PNU members and their allies.

"We demand immediate action on these issues which are in violation of the Elections offences Act, the very reason that occasioned this by election," said Ong’era.

In a similar incident, two people including a deputy principal were injured when their car was attacked at midnight near Riamoni polling station.

Duke Nyamongo, a deputy principal at Riooga Secondary School and Joash Sese were attacked at midnight by a group of villagers.

They are admitted at a hospital in Kisii town. Kitutu Masaba returning officer Fredrick Odenge said he had received reports of the attacks and asked police to investigate.

Nyamira OCPD Shadrack Maithya confirmed the attack on Magara and said investigations have been launched.

"Magara was attacked by youth who accused him of bribing voters. We took him to hospital where he received treatment. We have launched investigations and those responsible will face the law," said Maithya.

Education minister Sam Ongeri visited the scene where the teachers were attacked and condemned the violence as voters in Kitutu Masaba went ahead with elections.

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