The alleged mistreatment of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) officials in the just concluded Bonchari by-elections has attracted condemnation across the political divide.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has sympathized with ODM after they were harassed in Kisii despite being ‘part of the government’.
The Senator on Thursday, May 20, accused the government of planning violence in Bonchari and Juja saying that it was sending the wrong signal.
“Jubilee must stop misusing state machinery to instill fear in Kenyans, this is not a good trend for the country,” Cherargei told Citizen.
Adding: “ODM leaders were beaten and harassed like children yet they are part of the government.”
“If these poll outcomes are anything to go by, then soon Jubilee will be a thing of the past,” he said.
ODM leader Raila Odinga had earlier condemned police brutality meted on his party members and supporters in Bonchari.
Raila termed the act as an arrogant display of impunity by a few overzealous and bellicose government functionaries.
“An election process is an opportunity for the voters to express their will at the ballot and not an avenue to pursue imaginary and short-legged political interests. Security forces exist to serve the people and not the interests of those out to conduct political experiments.”
Raila said that the peaceful co-existence post-2018 must not be taken for granted by some rogue elements wanting to confuse the handshake for an excuse to erode the country’s hard-earned liberties.
George Koimburi of little known People Empowerment Party (PEP) beat Jubilee’s Susan Njeri after he garnered 12 ,159 votes against her 5,746 votes.