One person died in Homa Bay County after the ODM party nominations turned chaotic.
The bodyguard of Mbita MP Millie Odhiambo was killed and six people were seriously injured after violence broke out at a polling station.
Kennedy Okore, 37, was run over by a campaign vehicle speeding from a chaotic scene where Ms Odhiambo’s supporters had clashed with those of her opponent, James Akali, at Urinda Primary School in Lambwe ward Monday afternoon.
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Millie Odhiambo, the Member of Parliament for Mbita, Kenya, experienced a tragic incident during the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party primaries in Homa Bay County on April 24, 2017.
Her bodyguard, Kennedy Okore, was fatally injured when he was run over by a vehicle amid violent clashes between her supporters and those of her opponent, James Akali, at the Urianda Primary School polling station in Lambwe ward. Okore succumbed to his injuries shortly after the incident.
The altercation began when Odhiambo’s supporters were allegedly blocked from entering the polling station.
Upon arriving to investigate, Odhiambo reported that armed individuals confronted her and her team, hurling stones and escalating the situation. She accused Akali of orchestrating the violence to intimidate her supporters and prevent them from voting.
In response, Akali denied the allegations, suggesting that Odhiambo was seeking sympathy votes after sensing defeat.
The incident drew widespread condemnation, particularly from women’s rights groups. Josephine Mongare, chairwoman of the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA), criticized the police for their inaction, highlighting the selective violence targeting female candidates.
She expressed concern that such violence could deter women from participating in politics.
In the aftermath, Odhiambo faced further challenges, including the burning of her house, underscoring the severe personal and political risks women candidates often encounter in Kenya’s electoral processes.
