Two individuals are fighting for their lives after a violent altercation in Gem constituency, Siaya County, during the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) grassroots elections. The incident, which occurred on the morning of the election, involved a mob attack on the victims after they were suspected of attempting to disrupt the electoral process. The attack has drawn sharp condemnation from local leaders and citizens alike.
The confrontation took place at Muhanda Primary School, located in Yala Subcounty along the Kisumu-Busia highway, a key polling station for the ODM elections. Villagers became suspicious upon noticing unfamiliar vehicles around the school, raising concerns over the legitimacy of the individuals’ presence. Tensions escalated when the strangers, whose identities were initially unclear, allegedly refused to respond to inquiries from local residents.
According to reports, the situation quickly turned violent. The agitated villagers, suspecting the strangers of interference in the election, launched a mob attack on them. The two individuals were severely beaten, and it was only through the intervention of concerned bystanders that they were transported to Yala Subcounty Hospital for treatment. Despite their injuries, both victims are currently in critical condition.
Gem Constituency ODM Chairman, Nick Ochola, condemned the attack, attributing the violence to the influence of a local politician. Ochola claimed that the politician had previously made public statements on social media, declaring that only his supporters would be allowed to hold positions within the party. The politician’s remarks, according to Ochola, incited the aggression that led to the attack.
The families of the victims have also spoken out against the violence. Kennedy Oduor, one of the victims, was reportedly traveling from his home in Tieng’re village in Kisumu to work when he was caught in the chaos. His parents, while speaking outside the hospital, demanded that the politician implicated in the incident be held accountable for the medical costs incurred during the treatment of their son. The emotional plea from Oduor’s family highlighted the distress caused by the incident, as they had learned of their son’s severe injuries only after he had been admitted to the hospital.
Local police were quick to respond to the situation. Gem Subcounty Police Commander, Charles Wafula, confirmed the occurrence of the mob attack and assured the public that authorities had intervened to prevent further harm. Both victims were rescued and rushed to the hospital, where they are receiving medical care. Wafula added that investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Despite the violence in Muhanda, the ODM grassroots elections in other parts of Gem constituency proceeded without major disturbances. The polling stations across the region, which had attracted considerable attention due to heightened political tensions, managed to avoid similar outbreaks of violence.
The ODM party’s internal elections, designed to determine grassroots leadership in the area, have been marked by intense competition. With power dynamics at play, particularly in a constituency with a history of political volatility, the recent incident has further highlighted the challenges surrounding the electoral process. This event underscores the need for robust security measures and transparent electoral practices to ensure the safety of participants and maintain the integrity of the democratic process.
As the investigation continues, local authorities are calling for calm and urging the public to refrain from resorting to violence when engaging in political matters. The violent events in Gem serve as a stark reminder of the risks posed by politically charged environments and the importance of fostering a culture of peaceful and fair elections.
