Protests rock Bomet county after Governor Isaac Ruto injured

Bomet County Governor Isaac Ruto was seriously injured when he was hit by a teargas canister on his right eye during a youth function at Silibwet stadium Bomet County,a scuffle erupted when some youth stormed the stadium chanting Jublee Party cased chaos forcing the police to use teargas to disperse the crowd 07/11/16 PHOTO MOSES OMUSULA

Tension has hit Bomet County over Sunday's incident where police have been accused of injuring Governor Isaac Ruto (pictured).

Residents have taken to the streets in several towns within the five sub-counties demanding removal of County Commissioner Bernard Leparmarai who they blamed for the incident at Silbwet.

The angry residents paralysed business in Sigor in Chepalungu, Mogogosiek in Konoin and Ndanai in Sotik for the better part of Wednesday as they pressed the national government to transfer the official.

The protesters who were carrying placards condemned security officers who they said failed in their primary duty of securing the public.

"Security agents are supposed to guarantee everyone their safety. We are annoyed that a whole county commissioner can say the governor had not been invited to the sports event. Did it warrant the officers to attack those who had not been invited?" posed Catherine Chepngeno.

The governor said the police lobbed a tear gas canister into a crowd that had mobbed him when he arrived. Some said the canister landed on the governor's face, injuring him.

But Ruto had also indicated a police officer injured him with his club. He was immediately taken to Nairobi Hospital and was expected to be flown to South Africa on Tuesday for specialised treatment. 

And the locals accused the Jubilee administration of mistreating Opposition leaders and vowed to back Ruto's re-election bid.

They also vowed to continue with the demonstrations until Mr Leparmarai is transferred. "We no longer want to see him because he has refused to assure us of our safety," said another protester.