Returning officer succumbs to stab wound

By Kenan Miruka

Homa Bay, Kenya: A presiding officer who was injured during Ford People primaries died and another kidnapped as he prepared to announce results of ODM polls in Homa Bay.

Isaac Obita Ong’era, a teacher at Omokonge Primary School succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at Kisii Level Five Hospital on Saturday night.

The deceased sustained a stab wound on the stomach during a clash between supporters of Masige ward County Assembly Representatives Robert Momanyi and John Magembe over missing names on the voters roll.

“It is painful to lose the family’s sole bread winner through a senseless act. We are yet to come to terms with his demise,” said his younger brother Joseph Tamaro.

Kenya National Union of Teachers Gucha Branch Secretary Sammy Nyairo condemned the violent attack that led to the teacher’s death and called on police to ensure perpetrators are brought to book.

And in Homa Bay, Mr John Mulehi who was in the company of a fellow returning officer had just given the results to The Standard on the telephone when armed men walked into the hotel he was in.

Sources said the two officers were accosted by unknown men and forced into a waiting car before driving away.

The kidnappers in a convoy of seven cars left the premises as the police arrived.

A few minutes later, Mulehi called saying he wanted to change the results he had given on phone, saying the ODM headquarters had asked him to do so.

“Please, help me. Change the results that had been given on consensus to the following: Cyprian Awiti 52,294 and Philip Okundi 15,370 for the governor seat, Gladys Wanga 61,793 and Roselyne Onyuka 12,545 women representative seat. For Kasipul Kabondo, change to Oyugi Magwanga 7,620 and Tom Okoko 2,640,” he said.

Mulehi had earlier on indicated they agreed to have former Mbita MP Otieno Kajwang’ as the winner of the senate seat, Okundi (governor) and Onyuka (Women Representative).

“The party head office has allowed us to file the results,” Mulehi told our sister paper The Sunday Standard. Hillary Alila defected to PDP.

On Sunday, Migori OCPD Alfred Makoma said police had been dispatched to the hotel after being informed the results were to be announced in Rongo town.