Kisumu city manager records statement with police after vehicles destroyed in poll chaos

Kisumu city manager Abala Wanga on Tuesday recorded a statement at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices in Gem, Yala sub-county, over chaos that rocked the South Gem Ward by-election on December 8, 2022.

This comes after Mr. Wanga’s vehicles were reportedly destroyed at the Kambare polling station on the day of the said poll, in which his brother Polycarp Wanga was the ODM party candidate.

During the said chaos, 7 vehicles were destroyed, another was torched, and 15 people were injured with six of them still receiving treatment at the Siaya County Referral Hospital.

Mr. Wanga, addressing the press after recording the statement, called on the police to also summon area Member of Parliament Elisha Odhiambo to explain what he knows about the chaos.

According to the Kisumu city manager, other than the chaos witnessed at the Kambare polling station, other centres also experienced intimidation and consequently played a role in voter suppression.

The church in Gem, led by Rev. Kenneth Wachianga of ACK Maseno West Diocese called on the political class to exercise tolerance and work towards coherence after the mini polls.

“I want to appeal to our leaders to behave like leaders, whatever took place in South Gem during the by-election was not the best. We have had several elections in Gem and there is no single day we have ever witnessed such violence,” he said.

“I want to make a humble appeal that all those people who participated in that violence be brought to book. The police need to tell people the truth because they were there. We want to know those who were chasing the MCA-elect.”

Two other suspects arrested with crude weapons on the day of voting at the Kambare polling station are set to take plea on Wednesday.

Their case was deferred on Friday last week after the police asked for more time to gather evidence.