ODM summons its elected, nominated leaders following chaos in Migori burial
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has summoned its elected and nominated leaders present in Uriri Sub County, Migori County and Bomachoge-Borabu where chaos erupted during funeral services.
In a statement, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said the chaos in the two functions was orchestrated by politicians and executed by the police.
"Our attention has been drawn to the disturbing incident on Friday 3rd May 2024, in Uriri Sub County, Migori County where a funeral service, was disrupted after police lobbed teargas canisters at peaceful mourners, occasioning injuries and destruction to property," Sifuna stated.
"Noticeably, footage from the venue shows that the attack was coordinated and synchronized through collusion between some local politicians and the police. The pattern seems to have been set, when exactly two days later, (Sunday 5th May 2024), similar scenes were witnessed in Bomachoge-Borabu, where political privilege exercised by regime apologists turned ugly during a Church service."
ODM's call to Police IG
Sifuna has urged the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to thoroughly investigate the circumstances under which police lobbed teargas at mourners and bring all culprits to book.
"We condemn in the strongest terms possible, the use of police to instigate violence at the behest of politicians. The democratic gains made by this nation in the last three decades guarantee the rights, freedoms, and privileges enshrined in the constitution, which rights align with the reforms that morphed the police force into a service."
"We also urge the police command to do whatever it takes to educate members of the police service to understand that their mandate does not extend to being jurors in political party activity and rhetoric."
Sifuna has also condemned the dangerous rhetoric by local politicians, which he says played a part in inciting the violence in Migori.
"Additionally, the party condemns the dangerous rhetoric by local politicians, which played a part in inciting the violence in Migori. The party's position has always been that all political engagements must have the people’s stamp of approval, and be conducted peacefully and respectfully," he says.
Two people including a nine-year-old boy were injured during the chaos in Migori pitting the supporters of Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko and Uriri MP Mark Nyamita.
"The party hereby summons all elected and nominated ODM leaders present at these two functions to appear before the party leadership at 10:00 am on Wednesday, May 8th 2024, at the party headquarters (Chungwa House) to explain their role, if any, in these unfortunate events," Sifuna added.
