Mwingi West: Rowdy youth clobber MCA over voter bribery allegations
Nguutani MCA, Stephen Katana, is nursing wounds after he was clobbered by youths over voter bribery claims on Thursday morning before polling stations opened for Kyome Thaana ward by-election.
According to a clip that is circulating on social media, the MCA is seen seated on the ground having notes of a hundred denominations as youths are heard stating he was bribing locals to vote for an independent candidate in the ongoing polls.
The MCA, who is seen collecting the money he was forced to empty from his pocket, is heard saying the money was his and was not meant for bribing anyone.
"What businesses do you have in Kyome/Thaana yet this is not even your ward,? The money you have since made in the county assembly is the same you are now using it to bribe our voters?" a local youth quipped.
Katana, who is a second term independently elected MCA was corned by the youths whom he alleged were Wiper goons at Kanyaa market where they beat him.
Speaking through, a phone call, he said he had reported the matter to the police and had checked in at Migwani level 4 hospital but was later discharged.
"They have clobbered me but it's okay, I've reported the matter to the police. I am breathing and am now at home," he said via the call.
A local who sought anonymity said the county legislator was going around riding a motorcycle before dawn dishing out money to locals while drumming support for the independent candidate in Kyome Thaana ward where youths finally caught up with him at Kanyaa Primary school.
He also said the MCA was beaten by the angry youths.
Mwingi west OCPD, Kazungu Charo confirming the incident said the matter happened at around 4:30 am and was reported at 5:15 am at Kanyaa Police post on allegations that he was heading to Migwani market and had ksh500,000 where he met youths known to him who frisked him, took the money away from him and beat him.
He said investigations are ongoing to know where the county legislator was heading at that time using a boda boda adding it's not his norm.
Kyome Thaana by-elections in Mwingi west are ongoing where 11 candidates are battling for the seat.
