The Orange Democratic Movement has come out strongly to condemn the violence that erupted in Homa Bay County on Sunday, following a political rally organized by the Linda Mwananchi political caucus. The party notes with deep concern the way the gathering turned ugly, disrupting the peace and the daily activities of the people living in the area.
According to the ODM statement released on Tuesday, the violence was characterized by acts of hooliganism and thuggery that resulted in tragic loss of life. Police Driver Constable Jim Richardson Okundi lost his life in the incident, while many others sustained injuries ranging from gunshot wounds to deep cuts and broken bones.
The party revealed that 24 civilians were injured during the clashes. Some of the victims suffered severe injuries, including fingers being chopped off, gunshot wounds, and head injuries. The list of the injured includes Benard Ochieng who had all his right fingers chopped off, Jean Morgan Odul who lost two right hand fingers, and many others who sustained injuries to different parts of their bodies.
Beyond civilians, the statement shows that ten security officers were also injured during the incident. These included police officers from various ranks who were trying to manage the situation. The injuries range from gunshot wounds to fractures and cuts.
While condemning the violence, ODM has emphasized that it has always been a party that stands for peaceful, democratic and issue-based political competition. The party says it was born out of the struggle to expand Kenya's democratic space and has consistently defended the right of every Kenyan to associate, organize, assemble and express political views freely and peacefully.
The party leadership has made it clear that political differences must be settled through democratic engagement and not violence. ODM says it will never support, encourage or tolerate violence as a way of acquiring or keeping political power. The statement notes that individuals or groups should not use the party's name to justify acts of violence, intimidation or lawlessness.
ODM has extended its sympathies to the families of those who lost their loved ones and has wished speedy recovery to all those who were injured. The party has also sympathized with individuals and businesses whose property was damaged or destroyed during the clashes.
In its call for action, ODM has urged the relevant security and investigative agencies to conduct a prompt, impartial and professional investigation into what happened. The party wants those responsible for the criminal acts to be identified and dealt with strictly according to the law, regardless of their political affiliation or status.
The party has also called on all political leaders, parties and their supporters to exercise restraint and responsibility as political activity intensifies across the country. ODM says Kenya's democratic space belongs to all citizens and that political competition must never be allowed to degenerate into confrontation between communities or supporters of different political formations.
ODM remains committed to a Kenya where citizens can attend or choose not to attend political meetings without fear, where political organizations can canvas their ideas peacefully, and where leadership contests are determined by the will of the people and not by violence, the statement concludes.
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