A contingent of officers led by their police boss last night raided Kisii governor James Ongwae’s home who was holding a political meeting with the ODM brigade ahead of the Bonchari by-elections.
The incident was brought to light in a statement by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna on Friday, May 14, claiming harassment over the Bonchari by-election in the region.
“The governor was at the time having a meeting with Kisii Senator Sam Ongeri and another county leader when the officers descended on his premise with guns and teargas,” Sifuna stated.
In the statement, Sifuna alleged that the police boss had been informed that an unlawful assembly was taking place in the governor’s residence.
Speaking on the incident, Ongwae stated that even though he preferred to steer clear of political chaos, the incident had shaken him.
“The intimidation by the police was unnecessary. It is clear that desperate times have led to desperate measures and I have been forced to speak out because the use of excessive force is not good for democracy,” he explained on the incident that occurred on Thursday, May 13.
The ODM party further noted that several intimidation tactics had been used by the police during the campaigns for the Bonchari parliamentary seat.
ODM picked former Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Director-General Pavel Oimeke to fly the Orange flag.
On its part, Jubilee chose former legislator Zebedeo Opore to battle for the seat.