UDA aspirant in Bobasi constituency arrested for taking away election materials

A United Democratic Alliance (UDA) aspirant for the Bobasi constituency seat, Lucas Mogoa has been arrested on allegations of interference with the nomination exercise at Rigena polling centre.

Mogoa is said to have mobilised his supporters, who stormed the polling centre and took away all election material on allegations that the exercise was rigged.

Confirming the incident Nyamache OCPD Kipkemoi Kipkulei told the Standard Mogoa is being held at Nyangusu Police Station as investigations take place before charges are preferred against him.

"We are currently carrying out investigations and we are going to take the UDA aspirant Lucas Mogoa to court for interfering with the nomination exercise, even if he had any grievances he should have followed the right channels to have them resolved," said Kipkulei.

The police boss said it was wrong for the aspirant to take the law into his hands and he should have presented his grievances to the police, and handled the situation better instead of inciting his supporters.

Mogoa contested for the Bobasi Constituency seat in the 2017 General Election using the Amani National Congress Party ticket emerging fourth, losing the seat to current area MP Innocent Obiri.  

Mogoa, who is a Nairobi-based businessman is competing against Governance expert Gloria Orwoba for the Bobasi seat while businessman Don Bosco Gichana is competing against another businessman, Japheth Nyakundi for the Kitutu Chache North UDA ticket.

UDA Party Kisii County Deputy Returning Officer Henry Orangi said due to fuel challenges, the exercise started in the two constituencies and in 23 wards across the county, where aspirants had failed to arrive at a consensus.

Orangi said the UDA party leadership was investigating why Mogoa had been arrested before giving out a comprehensive statement. 

"We have gotten information that one of our aspirants in Bobasi Constituency Lucas Mogoa has been arrested, we are out to establish what happened before issuing a statement on the way forward," said Orangi.