PH
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has accused the National Police Service of sabotage, after the latter refused to provide security during the party nomination exercise in West Uyoma Ward, Siaya County.
According to the party Executive Director, Oduor Ong’wen, the party wrote to the Inspector General of Police last Wednesday informing him of the exercise but the request was turned down.
“The party wrote to the Inspector General of the Police last Wednesday informing him of the exercise Tuesday and requested for adequate security during the exercise. The letter was copied to the County Police Commander in Siaya and the OCPD Rarieda and an assurance was given to us that there will be two Police Officers in every polling station.
“However, despite the assurance, the police yesterday (Monday) told us verbally that they will not be honouring their earlier commitment reason being this is a party affair,” Ong’wen said in a statement on Tuesday.
Ong’wen read mischief in the move saying the exercise is gazzeted by the electoral commission and all political parties are required to carry it out to elect candidates to face off in the main by-election hence the need for safety provided by the police.
“The ODM feels the National Police Service is deliberately refusing to provide security for this exercise which is their obligation and will solely be held responsible should anything wrong happen during the exercise,” Ong’wen said.
He urged ODM members in West Uyoma Ward to maintain peace and observe the rule of law during the nomination exercise.
Eight candidates are battling it out to be the party’s flag bearer in the by-election that will be held to succeed area MCA Odeny Onduru who passed on in December last year.
