Two youths injured as chaos mars ODM grassroots polls

One youth lost his wrist while another one suffered a fractured arm after chaos broke out during ODM grassroots elections in Ndhiwa Constituency, Homa Bay county.

Elvis Omondi, 25, had his wrist chopped off after violence erupted at Buche Primary School, Kachola Sub-location in Kanyamwa Kologi Ward.

Ndhiwa Sub-county Police Commander John Losia, said chaos broke out after residents attacked a group of youth they accused of being hired from outside Ndhiwa constituency to disrupt the election.

Omondi was hacked on the wrist by a machete and was rushed to Ndhiwa Sub-county Hospital.

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Another youth identified as David Oluoch, 22, suffered a fracture on his shoulder after he was assaulted with a blunt weapon.

He also sustained a deep cut on the back and was rushed to hospital.

Losia said police intervened to restore peace at the polling station.

“The violence occurred when locals suspected that a group of youth were hired from elsewhere to disrupt their election. We had to intervene to restore order,” he said.

The police boss said the election continued after the chaos were quelled.

Losia told residents to avoid violence in elections.

“I also urge our leaders that elections come and go. Let us maintain peace to ensure we are not divided by elections,” Losia said.

Ndhiwa Sub-county Medical Officer of Health Nicodemus Odundo said the two youths sustained serious injuries which required specialised treatment.

“One of them arrived when his wrist was carried separately in a bag and they were bleeding profusely. We have stopped bleeding and referred them for specialised medical care at Homa Bay County Referral Hospital,” Odundo said.

Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga told residents to maintain peace during the election.

Speaking after casting his vote at Nyandiwa Primary School in West Kamagak ward, Kasipul Constituency, Magwanga told residents to create a conducive environment for democratic process.

“I have voted peacefully in this election and this is what should prevail throughout our elections,” he said.

 “We don’t want to witness any situation where people cut one another with pangas or fight in any way during the election,” Magwanga added.

The polls are meant to pick ODM officials at the ward level in Homa Bay County.