Raila Odinga’s party has claimed a number of Members of County Assembly allied to the party have been arrested over election irregularities in the ongoing Bonchari by-election.
According to statement from ODM, police officers detained MCA Jane Justin, MCA Risper Kemunto and Vincent Moisabi at Gesonso police station.
Other than the arrests, the party also alleged Jubilee party was openly bribing voters.
Jubilee party candidate is considered a strong opponent in the mini polls.
ODM’s candidate Pavel Oimeke, casted his vote at Nyamare polling station in an election that would be an acid test to Raila Odinga’s influence in Kisii Nyanza politics.
Both ODM and UDA, party liked to William Ruto, have decried state interference in the ongoing mini polls, accusing Jubilee of using government machineries to intimidate rival candidates.
“My agent in Nyamare Primary School has this morning been arrested and this is unacceptable. The police are intimidating the voters so they cannot come out to vote,” said ODM’s candidate in the polls.
Earlier on, UDA released a statement, saying that two of their agents in Rurii ward by-election had been arrested.
“UDA party agents have been harassed and intimidated by police across the ward. At Mugomoini polling station UDA agents have been denied entry and strangers purporting to be UDA agents have taken charge,” UDA claimed in a statement seen by Kivumbi.co.ke.
The DP Ruto allies claimed police officers had also mounted road blocks across the ward with the aim of intimidating voters.
The electoral body IEBC as well as police are yet to comment on the claims by UDA and ODM in the two by-elections.
The Bonchari by-election has exposed a difference between ODM and Jubilee party despite the fact their leaders are partners in the famous handshakes deal.
The two, Raila and Uhuru, have been fronting or supporting one candidate in past by-elections but seemingly, could not agree on one candidate for Bonchari.
