MP attacked in Kimilili civic poll

Tuesday, 24 May 2011 00:10 BY JOHN NALIANYA

Chaos broke out in Kimilili town yesterday during a civic election. Two rival groups from Ford Kenya and New Ford Kenya clashed amid claims of voter bribery, intimidation and use of violence during voting.

Kimilili MP Eseli Simiyu was attacked by a group of angry youths as he inspected the voting. The group of more than 10 youths armed with crude weapons attacked the MP who was driving alone.

They pelted his car with stones and threatened to pull him out of the vehicle until he drew out his gun to scare them off. An angry Eseli accused police of taking sides in the by-election for Kimilili North civic seat. “How can police watch as youth terrorise me? They need to declare their interest in these elections,” he said.

He alleged that thugs hired by New Ford Kenya had taken over the voting process and were bribing and intimating supporters of rival candidates. “Why are police not arresting these youths who have been ferried here to cause commotion. We shall be forced to take over our own security?” he said.

At one point, Eseli got angry when an officer attempted to order him out of the police station where he had sought refuge. Kimilili constituency elections coordinator Mogoria Nyongesa said security had been beefed up at the tallying centre to avert further chaos.