Violence scenes rocked Raila Odinga party’s meeting in Kanduyi, Bungoma County on Tuesday, November 23.
This was after two opposing factions clashed over who should be the Orange Democratic Movement chairman in Kanduyi Constituency ahead of the 2022 General Election.
The ODM National Elections Board (NEB) had convened the meeting to harmonise a list of officials from eight wards in the Kanduyi constituency.
However, the meeting failed to take place after supporters of two warring factions sharply differed and engaged in fistfights, exchanging kicks and blows.
Supporters allied to Bungoma Township MCA Joseph Maguda and Raphael Wanyama, both contestants for the ODM constituency chairmanship exchanged kicks and blows prompting ODM County chairman Ali Balala Machani to postpone the meeting indefinitely.
It is reported that a scuffle ensued after Maguda who was seeking to retain his chairmanship post accused Balala of trying to sneak in members through the party’s back door, ostensibly in favor of Wanyama.
“He was forcing a certain list into the members, we hadn’t agreed yet, that is what brought the contention,” the MCA said as quoted by the Star Newspaper.
On the other side, Wanyama insisted that the ODM party primaries were held on October 25 and that he was duly elected and the results were received at the party headquarters.
“There was nothing like elections today, we were just harmonizing the list but our friends started causing chaos which rocked the function,” he said.
Bungoma County ODM chairman while expressing dissatisfaction in the chaos said the matter will be handled by the head office in Nairobi to protect the image of the party ahead of the 2022 General Election.
“It is unfortunate the process did not proceed after the two factions differed, their supporters caused chaos hence stopping the whole exercise, the head office will intervene to save the face of the party,” Balala said.
