Security personnel in Homa Bay county are pursuing five suspects who escaped arrest for alleged involvement in violence during campaigns for Kasipul constituency by-election.
Homa Bay County Commissioner, Ronald Mwiwawi, said that the suspects escaped during a raid at a gathering at the home of former Kasipul MP, Ong’ondo Were.
He said one of the suspects escaped with handcuffs after a rowdy mob shielded the suspects from being arrested by the Police
“The handcuffs are the property of the government. They should return them back to the nearest police station,” he said.
He said that police have credible evidence which linked the suspects to the death of two youth on November 6 during a campaign rally in Kasipul constituency.
During the botched arrest, the rowdy mob also attacked the security officers.
Mwiwawi told the suspects to surrender to the authorities saying that the police need to listen to their side of their story.
“It is only the court that can determine if someone is guilty or innocent, resisting arrest is a serious offence,” he said.
The County Commissioner also warned politicians against engaging goons during campaigns.
“All our political leaders should withdraw goons from their teams. They should engage the youths constructively,” Mwiwawi said.
Meanwhile, religious leaders led by the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims Secretary, Nuhu Masoud, applauded the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for fining ODM candidate, Boyd Were and independent candidate, Philip Aroko Sh1 million each for alleged involvement in violent campaigns.
He accused some politicians of fueling violence during campaigns in the by-elections leading to bloodshed in the community.
“The electoral commission should take further action against others who propagate violence during campaigns,” Masoud asserted.
He said that they have embarked on aggressive campaigns to preach peace in Kasipul constituency ahead of the by-elections.
“As religious leaders we cannot sit back as our people butcher each other because of politics. We have an obligation to preach peace at every forum,” Masud declared.
By Davis Langat
