www.Kisii.Com: Syndicated news from only reputable sources [Nation, and Standard Newspapers, Kenya Times, KBC, etc.]
Chief Held for Failing to Stop Fight
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 22 July 2007 22:30
The fight pitted supporters of Public Health Minister Sam Ongeri against those of former Finance minister Simeon Nyachae.
Kisii police told the Sunday Nation the assistant chief, Mr Ratemo Manoti of Mubamba sub-location, was being held for allegedly failing to prevent a felony within his Nyaribari Central location.
Others picked up on Friday evening, a day after the incident, include Mr Kepha Nyakiramba, John Arumba, Moindi Mokano and James Omoyo, all residents of Mobamba village.
The police source said they were treating the clash on Thursday, which left five people critically injured, as a case of political thuggery.
"At some stage we will have to summon key politicians suspected to have had a hand in the clash to help us in our investigations."
South Mugirango MP James Magara has called for the interrogation of a district officer.
"The police should interrogate the officer to account for his movements and that of an official car attached to him which is claimed to have ferried the youths to demolish Ford-People offices thus igniting the clash," said the MP.
He warned the youth to be wary of politicians "who want to use them to gain political mileage".
Mr Magara urged the Kisii Central District Commissioner, Mr Osman Warsa, to issue a statement on the escalation of political thuggery in the district.
"Unless he offers a satisfactory explanation the Abagusii community will treat the incident as state-sponsored," he said.
Two of the youths injured during the fierce fight over Ford-People office at Ibacho area were on Friday evening transferred to a Kisumu hospital for specialised treatment.
A medic at the Kisii District Hospital, where they were initially hospitalised with three others, said those transferred include Public Health Minister Sam Ongeri's relative, a Mr Onkeo Nyaanga, and a Kanu youth, Mr Julius Obiri.
One of the injured, Mr Mike Morang'a, a supporter of Prof Ongeri, defended the minister.
Speaking to the Sunday Nation from his hospital bed, he said the minister had not instructed his supporters to intimidate opponents.
He claimed that on the day of the fight, he was dragged out of a matatu while travelling to a funeral and beaten senseless while the other four had alighted from the vehicle to rescue him.
But one of those attacked ostensibly for being anti-Ongeri, Mr Abel Moranga, who is undergoing treatment at Hema Hospital, claimed he was attacked by the same group led by one of those who were later pounced on by pro-Nyachae supporters.
