The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has blamed the government for the spate of violence that has recently rocked the North Rift leaving at least 30 people dead and over 10,000 livestock stolen.

Party leader Raila Odinga accused the national government of failing to provide security in the Kerio Valley, which has borne the heaviest brunt of violence in the past few days.

“Security agencies on the ground seem incapable, immobilised and unwilling to provide the much-needed support and are content with just supervising the anarchy.

It is our hope that the national government has not given up also on providing security to our citizens,” Raila said in a statement.

At the same time, Party Secretary General Agnes Zani condemned an incident on Tuesday night where goons stormed the Turkana ODM command centre and fired several gunshots in the air before heading to the home of Josephat Ekeno, the party's candidate in the area ward by-election.

Two of Ekeno’s children were shot in the incident and sustained serious injuries.

One of the children was rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret where she is scheduled to undergo an operation.

“This happened under the Jubilee watch whose administration has constantly reassured Kenyans of their security yet such intimidation and use of force continues unabated,” Zani said.

Election malpractices

ODM says the party has noted several reported cases of voter bribery and buying being perpetuated by Jubilee legislators ahead of the four ward by elections in Tana River, Kisii, Turkana and Kajiado Counties.

Following the increased violence in Kerio Valley, the government has reshuffled the area’s senior security officers in a raft of changes announced from Vigilance House in Nairobi.

The Elgeyo Markwet Police commander Sharif Abdallah has been transferred to the Nairobi head office and named head of operations.

He has been replaced by Kajiado police boss Tom Odera.