Six Homa Bay leaders fear for their lives

Six political leaders in Homa Bay County have expressed concern that their lives are in danger amid ongoing campaigns ahead of the senatorial by-election.

Maendeleo Democratic Party candidate Philip Okundi, MPs James Rege (Karachuonyo) and George Oner (Rangwe), former Rangwe MP Martin Ogindo, Kasipul politician Ong'ondo Were and Chairman of the Luoland Dialogue Initiative Odoyo Owidi have called on the State to provide them with adequate security.

In a press statement read on their behalf by Mr Ogindo at a Homa Bay hotel, the politicians alleged that the weapons found in a hotel over the weekend in Homa Bay were meant for their murder.

On Saturday night, police confiscated three bullets, a G3 rifle, three pangas, three swords and three mobile phones inside a suitcase in a hotel room in Homa Bay town.

County Police Commander John Omusanga and his Administration Police counterpart Jebel Munene said the weapons were owned by a person they suspected wanted to use them in perpetrating violence during the ongoing campaigns.

Ogindo said they had gathered information from the mobile phones and discovered that the weapons were to be used to kill the leaders over their decision to support Okundi in the by-election.

The leaders recorded statements at Homa Bay police station and demanded protection. "I believe this is the work of our opponents, who want to win this race through elimination due to fear of defeat," Ogindo said.

He added: "I want to assure our opponents that we will not be intimidated to change our minds because the people of Homa Bay have decided who is going to be their next senator. The masterminds of the murder should devise ways of seeking votes instead of resorting to crime."

Rege told the Government to provide them with adequate security. "I want our people to understand that we are championing for democracy in this county, hence nobody should view us as people who should be eliminated. We are telling the Government to look after our security," said Rege.

Okundi expressed concern over plans by one of his opponents to rig the by-election.

"I know of a pastor in Kabondo Kasipul Constituency in whose home ballot papers are being hidden, they are also being hidden here in Homa Bay town. A legislator from Migori has been implicated," Okundi said.

He called on the polls agency to investigate and curb suspected irregularities in the by-election.