By Team
Political violence has returned to Migori after three years of relative calm, as Governor Ochillo Ayacko and Suna West MP Peter Masara engage in a growing supremacy battle.
On Thursday, at a funeral in the area, Governor Ochillo Ayacko reportedly “got a dose of his own medicine” and was forced to seek protection at a local police station after chaos erupted during the event, which both leaders attended.
The confrontation began when Ochillo and Masara clashed over protocol. Masara demanded that he be allowed to speak first before inviting the governor to address mourners.
A commotion broke out over who should speak first and control the microphone, forcing mourners to flee as police intervened to restore order.
Ochillo later reported the incident at a local police station, accusing MP Peter Masara of allegedly orchestrating violence against him at the funeral.
Both leaders recorded statements with police. County Police Commander Samwel Boit confirmed the incident, saying the fracas began over a dispute about speaking order.
“The chaos broke out over who should speak first at the funeral and when Masara attempted to take the microphone from Ochillo, violence broke out,” he said.
Ochillo blamed Masara for the chaos and urged him to campaign peacefully instead of engaging in violence.
“I got the opportunity to condole with the family but the area MP came and created chaos. He allegedly brought 500 youths who were armed with crude weapons. But as a governor who is peace loving, I opted not to engage in political violence. He said he will bring chaos and violence in the county. This is Migori County under the national and county governments,” he said.
However, Masara denied the allegations and instead accused Ochillo of using police protection to intimidate opponents.
“When the governor arrived and before he could even stay for 20 minutes, he took over the microphone saying he wants to invite me to speak in my constituency. That is not protocol. The protocol requires that I am the one to invite him and not vice versa. I am the one to invite him in my constituency. He went for police reinforcement from Migori Central Police Station and four Land Cruisers carrying officers were brought to the funeral but they only protected Ochillo. Instead of protecting the mourners they only protected Ochillo. Very sad,” he said.
Masara further claimed that Ochillo’s security team started beating people, prompting his supporters to intervene. Ochillo denied the claims, maintaining that he is a peace-loving governor.
On Friday evening, Migori town was turned into a battleground between supporters of Ochillo and Masara, leaving several people injured.
Transport and business operations were paralysed as youths clashed in the town, reportedly destroying property.
“This war between Ochillo and Masara is not good for the county. We are back to the dark days when Ochillo and Dalmas fought and when ODM leaders also fought with Governor Okoth Obado,” said a Migori resident.
Ochillo is currently facing a strong re-election challenge from Masara and Uriri MP Mark Nyamita, who have been traversing the county seeking support.
In the past, Ochillo and former Cabinet Minister the late Dalmas Otieno engaged in political battles that left Rongo Constituency tense.
In recent speeches, Ochillo has warned his opponents against intimidating him and urged peaceful campaigns.
While Ochillo and Nyamita have recently shared platforms peacefully at public events, rivalry between Ochillo and Masara continues to spark tension among residents, often escalating into chaos.
