Siaya MCA summoned after protesters attack police station

The MCA fo Yimbo East in Siaya County, Mr Francis Otiato.

An MCA in Siaya was among those summoned to record statement over Wednesday’s anti-government demonstrations.

Yimbo East’s Francis Otiato was summoned by county police commander Michael Muchiri over his alleged role in leading protesters who attacked Bondo Police Station.

"You've been properly notified and your failure to heed such summons would mean you have everything to hide on this serious matter," read the summons.

The county police boss further warned the legislator that the long arm of the law will not rest until he records his statement on the matter.

Otiato termed the order as a fictitious scheme by the security apparatus to lock out some of the ODM leaders from participating in the ongoing demonstrations.

He told The Standard that he was yet to record a statement with the DCI as he was away on official duty and would do so once he comes back next week.

"It's true I've been summoned regarding Wednesday’s protests in Bondo and I am ready to be interrogated," said Otiato.

The MCA said they held peaceful demonstrations in Bondo town and that chaos erupted after they had left the town.

Has been summoned 

"There is a group that came after we had concluded our peaceful demonstrations. No one can accuse us of sponsoring the youths to attack the police station," said Otiato.

The summons came hours after his Siaya Township counterpart James Otare was arrested over the protests in Siaya town.

Otare spent the night in Siaya Police Station following his arrest on Wednesday night.

The MCA drove himself to the police station around 8 pm after he was summoned. The DCI detectives grilled him for over four hours before he was locked up.

His Personal Assistant Bernard Onyango, who accompanied him to the police station, said the MCA had been summoned over his alleged role in leading what the officers referred to as an unlawful demonstration. He was also accused of inciting the public to breach the peace.

Otare was arraigned before Siaya Law Courts on Thursday and was released on a Sh100, 000 bond. The case will be mentioned on Monday, July 24, 2023.

Supremacy battles

Otiato blamed the violence in Bondo town on supremacy battles between local politicians.

"Every politician wants to conduct the demonstration in their own style which makes it difficult to control the demonstrators," he said.

Last week, at least seven police officers sustained injuries after the rowdy youths attacked the police station and burnt the station's canteen.

Bondo sub-county police boss Robert Apoki condemned the act of hooliganism and said they will not condone any breach of peace and security in the region.

"We have no problem with those doing peaceful demonstrations but I also want to warn the local leaders against inciting members of the public to attack the police," he said.