Two individuals are in critical condition at Yala Subcounty Hospital, Siaya, after being attacked during a violent altercation at an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) grassroots election in Gem Constituency.
The mid-morning incident occurred at Muhanda Primary School, located along the Kisumu-Busia highway, where angry villagers reportedly turned on the two, accusing them of attempting to disrupt the electoral process. Witnesses say the strangers were spotted in vehicles circling the school, raising suspicion. When confronted and asked to identify themselves, the individuals allegedly refused, prompting the attack.
The victims were beaten and left for dead before being rescued by good Samaritans who rushed them to the hospital.
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Speaking to the media, Gem ODM Chairman Nick Ochola condemned the attack and accused a local politician of orchestrating the chaos. Ochola claimed the politician had previously made threats on social media, boasting that only his allies would be elected or that the elections would not take place at all.
The family of one of the victims, Kennedy Oduor, has demanded accountability. Oduor’s parents, speaking outside Yala Subcounty Hospital, said their son had left home in Tieng’re village, Kisumu County, for work, only to end up severely injured in Gem. They called on the politician accused of instigating the violence to cover Oduor’s medical expenses.
Gem Subcounty Police Commander Charles Wafula confirmed the incident, stating that police intervened to rescue the two victims.
Despite the confrontation, the grassroots elections proceeded without incident in other areas of the constituency. Authorities are investigating the incident to identify those responsible and ensure justice is served.
