Yesterday at Free Area in Nakuru town we were attacked by a rowdy mob after holding a peaceful political rally. The mob were shouting the name of my opponent Mr. Kinuthia Mbougua and some were carrying his posters. One of the thugs jumped onto the bonnet of my car as we tried to drive off. My security men pulled him down from the bonnet. The mob pelted our vehicles with stones and in the process destroyed the rear windscreen of my car where I and my wife were travelling in.
We immediately drove away from the scene to a safe place. The chairman of ODM Nakuru county who was driving along the Nakuru Nairobi highway arrived just in time to see the chaos. He followed us and he advised us to go with him to report the incident at Mwariki police station.
This is not the first time we have been harassed by supporters of Mr. Kinuthia Mbogua. In Keringet and Saptet areas in Kuresoi South constituency his supporters led by a Rev. Mutai stormed and disrupted our meetings. They trailed us in a vehicle and motorcycles displaying the posters of Mr. Kinuthia Mbogua. We informed the police. No arrests were made.
In Mauche they came to our rally with posters and banners of Mr. Kinuthia Mbogua. We told them it was illegal for them to do that but they did not heed to our call. Our supporters wanted to beat them up but we appealed to them not to. We informed the OCS and chief of the area who were present in the rally. No arrests were made.
The incident yesterday could have ended up with fatalities. This is not good for the peace and stability of Nakuru which is considered a hotspot. Does this mean there are places in Nakuru that we cannot conduct our political rallies or campaigns? This incident amounts to intimidation. I and my supporters do not feel safe. This is an insult to democracy and this process will not lead to a free, fair and peaceful election if these acts of violence are not stopped immediately.
I appeal to our supporters to remain calm and to conduct themselved in the most honourable mannner as we have always done. I have presented an official complaint to IEBC and other relevant authorities. To our oppponents I would say no ammount of intimidation will stop us from persuing our democratic and constitutional rights. Amani. Peace.
This barbaric and outdated we are in democratic society and the IEBC should disqualify Mr kinutuhia Mbugua from running if he cannot control his supporters , he should resign Mr Kinuthia should know that his integrity is question the way he handled 2008 PEV and his name features in many reports, using violence against opponents will confirms allegations and may necessitate legal action against him, and my end in the Kenyan courts if not ICC
ReplyDeleteThats unfortunate an outdated way of doing politics the Inspector general should act on those officers who are compromised and the Nakuru voters should not elect leaders who thrive on violence am from Nakuru county i beleive Rev Bommet is a better candidate than Kinuthia,
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