17 people have been arrested in connection with the violence witnessed yesterday at Soy Constituency in Uasin Gishu County.
The 17 were arrested following orders by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i who had directed police to investigate and arrest all the culprits involved in pelting stones at the convoy of Azimio-OKA presidential flagbearer Raila Odinga.
In a statement, the National Police Service states that the 17 arrested persons were found with cash in Ksh50 denominations and mobile phones which sleuths will use to conduct thorough investigations.
"The NPS reminds all that it is the right of every citizen to visit any part of the country. We call upon political leaders and their supporters to accord accommodation and tolerance to each other including those of divergent views and opinions during the electioneering period," police spokesperson Bruno Osohi Shioso, said.
Earlier, Matiang'i in a statement had regretted the incident as a sad and atavistic reminder of the ugly face of political disorder and instructed police to ensure that all the masterminds of the incident are made to swiftly and decisively face the consequences of their illegal actions.
“I condemn this reprehensible and abhorrent act in the strongest terms possible. I call upon National Police Service to investigate the matter and ensure that all the culprits and their masterminds are made to swiftly and decisively face the consequences of their criminal actions,” he said.
The hopeful President was headed for the burial of business mogul and farmer Jackson Kibor when the incident happened at Soy Constituency in Uasin Gishu County.
Matiang'i gave the instructions even as politicians across the country continued to condemn the incident that most have termed as a retrogressive and a sad reminder of the 2007 post-election violence that saw thousands lose lives as property was destroyed.
"The incident is a sad reminder of the ugly face of violent political intolerance that our beloved motherland has worked hard to consign to the annals of a painful history in the last 14 years," Matiang'i stated.
Among other leaders who have condemned the incident are Deputy President William Ruto who comes from the region where the incident occurred, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, Kirinyaga County leaders led by governor Anne Waiguru, Woman Representative Wangui Ngirici among others.
