The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has threatened to take action following the violent attacks witnessed in Kisii County on Monday, January 8 during Governor Simba Arati’s rally.
ODM Secretary general Edwin Sifuna on January 12, led party officials at the Kisii Police headquarters to issue a statement concerning the attack.
In a strongly worded statement, the party issued demands, threatening to hold protests if no action is taken.
“The demands must happen within the next fourteen days, failure in which the party will pursue other avenues to ensure law and order in Kisii County,” said Sifuna.
ODM further claimed that national security officers were behind the attacks.
“The attacks perpetrated by known persons in broad daylight appears to be tacit support and collaboration with elements in the security forces,” he added.
The party further demanded for the transfer of the Kisii County Police commander, Charles Keses.
He added, “We take note of the loud silence of the CS in charge of national security and the inspector general of police.”
The party added that no action has been taken against the security officers blamed for the attack.
“No action has been taken against the police that leads us to the conclusion this is a state-sponsored violence approved at the highest level of the security command,” said Sifuna.
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Additionally, the party blamed South Mugirango Member of Parliament (MP) Sylvanous Osoro for the attacks.
“At the very minimum, Hon Osoro should be asked to record a statement with the police,” added Sifuna.
ODM condemns Kisii attack
According to the statement, Governor Arati was the target of an attack witnessed on January 8 in South Mugirango.
The attack happened while the Governor was addressing residents after issuing bursary forms.
Hundreds of people that had gathered to listen to Simba Arati were forced to scatter in various directions as gunshots rent the air.
During the attack, at least four people, some in the governor’s convoy, sustained bullet injuries.
While addressing a crowd outside Kisii Central Police Station in Kisii, Arati asked security agencies to expedite investigations into the attack.
Arati vs the Police
In October 2023, ODM claimed that police officers were planning to raid the governor’s home located in the outskirts of Kisii town.
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The party noted that the police had not issued the governor with a search warrant, terming the expected act as the highest level of intimidation.
“We have information that the police are planning a raid on the governors’ residence in the outskirts of Kisii town, there is no search warrant issued by the courts and we find this to be the highest level of intimidation and coercion,” the statement reads in part.
