A man was recently arrested in Kisumu after he was found in possession of a teargas canister, raising suspicions of a plan to disrupt the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party elections. The arrest took place amid heightened security measures, as ODM primaries in the region have previously been marred by tension and violence.
This incident follows a series of similar disruptions in ODM events. In June 2022, a police officer was arrested after allegedly throwing a teargas canister during an Azimio rally at Gusii Stadium in Kisii, which was attended by Martha Karua. The officer, who was off duty at the time, faced charges related to the use of an explosive and was remanded for 10 days for his own safety after being attacked by a mob.
In another case in Migori County, twelve individuals were apprehended for allegedly planning to interfere with ODM primaries in the Suna West constituency. They were found with crude weapons and campaign materials linked to a particular aspirant. In response, police increased patrols in the area to ensure a peaceful voting process.
These incidents highlight the challenges facing political party primaries in Kenya and underline the importance of maintaining strong security to protect the integrity of the electoral process.