Trans Nzoia County Senate candidate through the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Musoke Muliro, was on Friday evening attacked by goons allegedly attached to Trans Nzoia County Assembly Speaker Joshua Werunga who is also in the senatorial race.
Addressing the media after recording a statement at Kitale Police headquarters, Musoke said the armed goons confronted and roughed him up at a public meeting in Makuyu area in Kwanza constituency.
“I was in a public rally in the company of George Natembeya, Joshua Werunga the Speaker, and other leaders. Shortly after Werunga had confronted me, his goons attacked me, tore my shirt, and threw me out,” Musoke said.
The son of anti-colonial activist, Masinde Muliro, condemned the incident and asked the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission IEBC, to disqualify the candidate on integrity grounds.
“I condemn the most unfortunate incident. It is an indicator that he performs poorly on the integrity test and therefore is not fit to be a leader in this cosmopolitan county because how do you mobilize goons to intimidate and attack your opponents,” Musoke appealed.
He also claimed that some of his campaign posters have been removed in all the strategic places and called on security agencies to investigate the unbecoming behavior.
When contacted for comment, Joshua Werunga could neither pick up our calls nor respond to our text messages.
At the same time, women aspirants in the same county are demanding protection so that they can carry out their campaigns without fear.
Speaking to Uasin Gishu News, Gladys Mulati who is vying for Trans Nzoia County Woman Representative post said political intolerance in the country is a threat to women who are seeking elective posts against men.
“Sometimes you go to a place; your opponent denies you an opportunity to address the electorate by mobilizing goons to heckle you. In such a situation you cannot sell your agenda because you are already disoriented,” she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Catherine Nanjala and Naomy Okul who asked the Ministry of Interior to take action against all people who threaten women candidates.
“It is such an embarrassment and disrespect to the women of this country to push or even threaten a woman. We, therefore, demand that we should be protected by the government,” Okulu said.
