Chaos rock polling station during ODM Ugunja nominations, leaves 2 injured
Two people were seriously injured on Friday, September 26, 2025, morning, following a violent clash during the ODM party primaries at Nyati-Nyasanda VTC in Ugunja Constituency.
Former Member of County Assembly (MCA) Mark Odawa and Ugunja sub-county administrator suffered serious beatings after a gunshot scare that dispersed voters and security officers manning Nyati Polling station, hosted at Nyasanda VTC in Ugunja town.
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Ugunja Sub-County Police Commandant confirmed the incident, stating that violence erupted between the local voters and former Sigomere MCA (Odawa)after he withdrew his gun and shot thrice into the air.
Also watch: Rigging claims cloud ODM nominations in Ugunja.
There was tension after Odawa stormed a station, decrying unfair play in the process.
Odawa, who was supporting parliamentary candidate Joseph Oluru, got worked up after he said he was threatened by locals who turned up for the voting exercise.
“We won’t allow ODM to rig votes in favour of Omondi, power must go to Uholo,” he shouted.
“After scaring voters and a man identified as Messy, he timed and pounced on Odawa, holding his hands tightly before disarming him in a situation that claimed when police officers arrested him.”
According to Fred Odhiambo Oloo, Odawa seemed to have sensed that his man was losing the seat, and the gun drama was a way of expressing anger.
Ugunja sub-County administrator Isaac Ocholla was caught up in the scuffle and suffered beatings after a teargas canister was spotted on his waist.
Members of the public pounced on him with blows and kicks at Nyati polling station after a police officer scampered for their safety on claims that the man was having a teargas canister.
Police frog-matched Odawa and Administrator into the waiting Land Rover and sped off to Ugunja police station.
Elsewhere, ODM leaders in Kericho launched a recruitment drive ahead of internal party elections and upcoming national contests.
They condemned violence and urged the residents to maintain peace during the party primaries.
Police have launched investigations into the incident as security is heightened in the region to prevent further arrests.
However, there was jubilation at Nyati polling station when candidate Moses Omondi emerged victorious after garnering 357 votes against arch-rival Aluru, who had 188 votes.
The Orange party seeks a candidate to vie in the by-election scheduled for November 27, 2025.
