Four in hospital as UDA and ODM youths clash

Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital. [File, Standard]

Following a Saturday afternoon brawl between two opposing political camps, four boda boda riders have been admitted to the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital.

A police officer in riot gear was also pelted with a stone, sustaining minor injuries.

Dr Enock Ondari, Chief Executive Officer of KTRH, said those affected had received adequate medical attention.

More than 300 people took to the streets on Friday to protest remarks made by a section of Azimio La Umoja Coalition leaders at Gusii Stadium.

The February 18 clashes erupted near the town's Central Business District shortly after a UDA-aligned group finished their media briefing along the Daraja Moja-Nyamataro by-pass.

Youth wearing reflector jackets marched out of Kisii County precincts and behind the County Assembly buildings, throwing stones at pro-UDA youth. The incident was condemned by Fred Nunda, who spoke to the media on behalf of the pro-UDA group leader, saying their attackers were ordered to disrupt their meeting.

"We came here to express our concerns about remarks made by a group of ODM leaders on Friday. Our current and former leaders were insulted by the remarks. You don't go out in public to insult a leader who has served his people for more than 10 years," he said.

Nunda said Gusii leaders must remain steadfast and support one another in order to achieve the region's economic agenda.

He said the ODM leaders' decision to skip the Azimio rally at Gusii Stadium was enough communication that the community is ready for development and not politicking.

Kisii Governor Simba Arati later Saturday night visited the affected at KTRH and called for a probe into the skirmishes.