How Kibra, Gandu by-elections landed politicians in trouble

Members of Parliament Junet Mohammed, Aisha Jumwa and Babu Owino. [Courtesy]

The sharp and loose tongues of ‘honourable’ members is at it again.

Members of Parliament Junet Mohammed (Suna East), Babu Owino (Embakasi East) and politician Irshard Sumra could be in trouble over utterances at a campaign rally.

The trio has been summoned to record a statement with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) over their remarks at the DC grounds, Kibra on Sunday 13.

This is according to a statement released by the office of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) yesterday.

They are accused of inciting their supporters against their rival Jubilee Party.

In a viral footage, Junet Mohammed is heard telling Jubilee supporters to prepare for a ‘real war’, accusing them of torching their vehicle and blaming it on ODM.

“They torched their car and blame it on ODM. Now they should prepare for the real war,” said Junet.

A day before the Junet’s remarks, a photo of Mariga’s campaign car surfaced on social media platforms with broken windows after it was allegedly pelted with stones.

Jubilee party fingered ODM supporters who refuted the claims, saying that Mariga’s team had destroyed the car to paint them as violent.

The car drama was shrouded with conflicting reports but chiefly, allegations of voter bribery took the center stage.

A man alleged to be in the car was rescued by police officers after a mob descended on him with accusations that he was bribing and buying identity cards from Kibra voters.

Junet is also heard rallying ODM supporters to march towards DP Ruto’s Karen home and torch it claiming that the house is where Kibra residents are being bribed.

“If you see anyone distributing money here, burn him (sic). And when we see Kibra residents being called to be given money, we shall go and torch Ruto’s house because that house is now conducting criminal offense.” said Junet

NCIC, the commission tasked with mitigating ethno-political competition will launch investigations into the matter and submit its findings to the DCI which will give further directives.

On Monday, ODM chairman John Mdadi was summoned by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) over the chaos.

Further, DCI has trained its gun on Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa who was also involved in fatal by-poll chaos at a ward in her constituency.

The combative MP alleged stormed a political meeting and was involved in an altercation that led to police officers shooting in the air to disperse the crowd but after the shootings faded, Ngumbao Jola, an uncle to the ODM candidate for the Ganda Ward by-election was found shot.

The by-elections are to be held today.

Piqued by the arrest of Aisha Jumwa, MPs aligned to the Jubilee party led by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa earlier today called for the arrest of Junet Mohammed and other ODM leaders for allegedly inciting violence in Kibra campaigns.

Aisha Jumwa is currently under investigation for incitement to violence, assault, and electoral offenses.

According to a story done by The Standard yesterday, police report alleged that the MP was planning to disrupt today’s by-election using a gang of supporters from Takaungu in Kilifi County.