By Habil Onyango
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) must urgently rein on the emerging violent and blood bath that has been witnessed during the ongoing party’ grassroot elections in Homa Bay county. Ndhiwa and Kasipul constituencies have emerged as hot spots for violence and bloody confrontations between various political blocs in tomorrow’s elections.
Tension has further been heightened by various aspirants for parliamentary, member of the county assembly and gubernatorial seats, who are using the exercise to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In Ndhiwa two camps have emerged between area MP Martin Owino and Homa Bay assembly majority leader Richard Ouma Ogindo, who are positioning themselves for the 2027 election and are allied to various gubernatorial aspirants for the seat.
In Kasipul area MP Ongondo Were is squaring it out with an aspirant Philip Aroko over the control of the branch party leadership. In Kasipul allegations of political abduction is said to be rampant ahead of the exercise. Ongondo and Aroko did not respond to our telephone calls.On Monday, a man lost hands after it was chopped while another sustained deep panga cuts and is fighting for his life at the local Homa Bay Teaching and Referral Hospital.
During the morning incident Elvine Omondi (25) left wrist was chopped off using a machete while David Oluoch (22) sustained deep cuts on the neck and a fractured left arm.According to the Ndhiwa Police Commander John Losia the incident took place in the morning after youths believed not to be from Ndhiwa arrived in a proboscis vehicle and start disrupting the exercise.
The Officer said the “hired goons” were however overpowered by the delegates and the locals before unleashing the attack on the two .
“Some youths who were hired from outside Ndhiwa constituency arrived at Buche Primary School with an intention to disrupt the event,” said the Officer.“
They were however overpowered by the delegates and the locals who were present before attacking the two youths causing them serious injuries,” he added.
The officer however said that the youths later escaped to unknown destination and no arrest was made.Owino condemned the violence which was witnessed in the area and asked for peace during the branch elections.According to Owino, the security should move with to speed and arrest those behind the violence that was witnessed on Monday.
“The matter has already been reported to the Police and I want to urge them to move up with speed and apprehend the vehicle which was used and their occupants,” said Owino.
“The Police should ensure that a serious action is taken against those who organized and those who committed the attack and must be brought to book,” he said.
ODM is a peaceful and Democratic party but not a party for goons,” said the party constituency Patron.
Ogindo did not respond to our telephone call.President William Ruto’s UDA recently conducted a peaceful elections in the county that witnessed election of the party officials to the village to the county level.
