Commentaries

Former MP stabbed in New Violence

The worst incident reported was near Kisii Town where one successful candidate, the former Bonchari MP Zepedeo John Opore, was stabbed in the head and arm by a rival group who chased him in two cars. Former MP Zepedeo Opore, who was stabbed four times in the head and on his right arm, was taken to a private hospital with blood oozing from his head.

A vehicle belonging to his colleague Mr Jimmy Angwenyi in which they were both travelling had its rear windscreen shattered by a group of 15 attackers. They ambushed the two former MPs as they headed towards Sotik to receive their Ford People nomination certificates.

The two were approaching Bobaracho when the gang, which had chased them from Kisii Town, blocked their car and, led by a woman, seized Mr Opore. She was joined by other attackers who dragged him out of the car and stabbed him with Somali swords. Mr Angwenyi grabbed one of the gang and wrestled him to the ground but he struggled free, as the car containing the injured Mr Opore accelerated to safety.

Mr Opore's attackers again gave chase but escaped death narrowly when one of their cars crashed and rolled several times as it approached Bobaracho at high speed. The attackers abandoned their smashed car and jumped into two other vehicles to escape before police arrived.

Three former MPs - Mr Angwenyi, Mr Omingo Magara and Mr Henry Obwocha - reported the attack at Kisii police station.Mr Opore won the Bonchari nomination for Ford People with 10,500 votes, while Mr John Mochama gained 479 votes.