MP Peter Kaluma Attacked in Kasipul, Bodyguard Injured and Gun Stolen
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma was on Tuesday attacked by a hostile mob in Kasipul during the ongoing by-elections, an incident that left him injured and his bodyguard disarmed.
The attack happened at the Agoro Sare polling station, where Kaluma had gone to monitor the voting exercise as an observer for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party.
Witnesses and early reports indicate that the confrontation turned violent when a group of armed youths surrounded the MP.
In the chaos, his bodyguard was badly beaten and his official firearm was snatched. The situation escalated fast, causing panic among voters and election officials who were present at the station.
Images obtained by Newshub.co.ke show the MP being overwhelmed by a crowd that forcefully confronted him, leaving him with visible injuries.
After the attack, medical personnel stationed at the polling centre responded quickly, providing first aid as the lawmaker bled from a wound on his head. Police officers at the scene later intervened to stop the violence and restore order.
Speaking shortly after receiving treatment, Kaluma claimed that the attackers were linked to an independent candidate believed to be one of the top contenders for the Kasipul parliamentary seat.
He condemned the violence, saying such incidents are meant to intimidate voters and interfere with the electoral process.
Kaluma urged residents to stay calm and insisted that violence should not stop anyone from exercising their democratic right.
“The solution is not fighting back. We are just small people, and even though we could have responded, that is exactly what they want. Do not fight them because their aim is to stop people from voting,” he said.
He further encouraged locals to show up and vote despite the threats.
“I want our people to come out and vote without fear. These individuals only want to scare people away from polling stations. We will not engage in physical fights — our battle will be decided at the ballot,” he added.
The attack on Kaluma comes barely moments after another chaotic scene unfolded at Siakago Social Hall in Mbeere North.
Tension rose when Democratic Party (DP) leader Justin Muturi and his team confronted Leonard Wa Muthende’s agent, Thuku Kiruga, accusing him of wearing United Democratic Alliance (UDA) colours inside the polling station, which they said was against election regulations.
Kiruga was chased away by Muturi’s team, who also claimed that some individuals were openly bribing voters while dressed in party colours. Election observers at the station called for urgent intervention from authorities.
“We have people wearing party colours and engaging in bribery. We urge the Ministry to act quickly and protect the integrity of the election,” one poll observer from the opposition warned.
The two incidents have now raised concerns about voter intimidation and the overall security of the by-election process, with electoral stakeholders calling for tighter enforcement to ensure peaceful and credible voting.
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