Mumias East Member of Parliament Benjamin Washiali on Monday revealed what happened to Jubilee Party legislators who were chief agents for the party candidate McDonald Mariga.
Speaking after the just concluded Kibra by-election, the vocal Jubilee MP said the police officers abandoned them to safeguard the ballot boxes, leaving them under the mercy of God.
“The police officers told us that their responsibility was to guard ballot boxes and ballot papers. Us, we were at the mercy of God. We are lucky that we survived. The thugs who were there were big (sic),” Washiali was quoted by People Daily.
The November 7 mini poll was characterized by scenes of electoral violence, voter buying and voter bribery.
Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa was captured being roughed up by rowdy youth.
Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who was Jubilee’s point man in Mariga campaigns, was also captured hurling stones at some youth who later kicked him out of the polling station.
Mariga was not spared, though he had come with police escort, rowdy youth blocked the way forcing him to retreat.
Deputy President William Ruto on Sunday accused ODM’s party leader Raila Odinga of deploying militia like youth to cause chaos and disrupt the voting.
“As Kenyans, we demand that Raila and his party unconditionally, unequivocally and publicly renounce the culture of violence, chaos, terror, and gangsterism their signature modus operandi as witnessed in Kibra and unreservedly apologise to past and present victims,” Ruto posted on Twitter.
As Kenyans we demand that Tinga/his party unconditionally, unequivocally and publicly RENOUNCE the culture of violence, chaos, terror and gangsterism their signature modus operandi as witnessed in Kibra & unreservedly apologise to victims past and present for their hurt and loss.
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) November 9, 2019
“President Kenyatta and I decided that PEV, that had become synonymous with elections since 1992 MUST come to an END and it did. Tinga MUST bring Odm’s primitive and retrogressive signature culture of violence/ chaos to an END and disband baba’s militia to show their commitment to handshake,” he added.
In a rejoinder, ODM said Ruto had no moral authority to condemn violence when he himself funds and thrives in violence.
The party accused Ruto of hypocrisy and told him to first apologise for the fracas witnessed in Ganda ward by-election in Malindi where one man was allegedly killed by Ruto supporters.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji has since said investigations into the violence during the by-election have been launched.
The DPP said that persons behind the chaos would be held personally responsible and charged in court once the investigations are complete.