The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has expressed serious concern over repeated violent attacks on its National Vice Chairperson and Kisii Governor Simba Arati, saying some were perpetrated by known individuals in broad daylight with apparent support from elements within the security forces.
In a strongly worded statement, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna laid out several incidents, demanding action from authorities.
“All these incidents have been reported to the police and widely captured by both mainstream and social media but we wish to lay them out here for the record,” Sifuna said.
He cited an incident on June 6th, 2023 when Arati was attending a funeral and area MP Sylvanus Osoro allegedly unleashed violence. “Governor Arati, who was the target of this attack, was safely evacuated by his security team. This incident was reported at Nyamarambe Police Station. To date no one of the known culprits has been brought to book,” Sifuna stated.
Even more concerning, Sifuna noted, was an incident on January 8th when gunmen opened fire at a public event attended by Arati. “Many people were injured in the resulting stampede. Some including the Governor’s security detail suffered gunshot wounds. It turned out the gunmen were in fact Police officers,” he revealed.
Sifuna named four officers allegedly involved, saying they were attached to Osoro. “That such a brazen attack could happen in a country supposedly run in accordance with the rule of law is beyond comprehension,” he said.
Accusing authorities of a “see no evil, hear no evil” approach, Sifuna concluded the attacks were “state sponsored violence, approved at the highest level.”
The party is now demanding the Inspector General of Police immediately transfer the Kisii County Police Commander and suspend the officers involved pending investigation. “At the very minimum Hon. Osoro should be asked to record a statement if he is too powerful to be arrested,” Sifuna stated.
He also called for the Independent Police Oversight Authority to investigate abuse of police power in Kisii.
Sifuna warned that if no action is taken within 14 days, the party will pursue other avenues to ensure law and order. “Should any harm come to the party’s national chair person as a result of any subsequent attack against him, the persons named here including Hon Osoro, Charles Keses, and the IG of Police will be held personally responsible,” he concluded.
