ODM MP charged with assault in Homa Bay violence

Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma was on Thursday charged with assault in a Homa Bay Court.

The MP was charged with assaulting businessman Washington Ogaga during an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) rally at the Homa Bay Stadium last Sunday.

Kaluma denied the charges and was released on a Sh60,000 bond with an alternative cash bail of Sh20,000.

Kaluma defended himself saying that he was the one beaten up during the altercation with Ogaga.

On Wednesday, the police had summoned the two to record statements over their public fight on Sunday at the Homa Bay Stadium.

Law breakers

County Police Commandant John Omusanga and Criminal Investigations Officer Michael Mugo accused the two politicians of breaking the law.

“He ordered my supporters to put down banners when I was dancing on the dais, but when they refused Kaluma kicked and tried to slap me on my left cheek,” Ogaga said in his police statement.

The two were seen on camera engaging in a fist fight before wrestling one another to the ground in front of the charged crowd and other ODM leaders.

Mr Ogaga is seeking to unseat Mr Kaluma from the Homa Bay Town parliamentary seat in the next election

Earlier this week, ODM said it will summon and grill eight leaders including Kaluma and Ogaga for the violent scenes in Homa Bay.

The party said they had carried out internal investigations and identified those responsible for the violence.

On Wednesday, several people were injured at the Malindi Municipal Stadium when rival supporters of Malindi MP Willy Mtengo and Kilifi woman representative Aisha Jumwa clashed during a rally meant to welcome back Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi back from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission where he was grilled over corruption.