Youths in Mumias have blocked ODM leader Raila Odinga and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya from addressing victims of police brutality at Shibale in Mumias.
Raila had gone to console people allegedly harassed by GSU officers, accompanied by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and MCAs Rocky Omwendo (Mumias North) and Libinus Oduor (Mayoni).
He was forced to take off after the crowd turned violent accusing them of neglecting the victims.
A witness said the incident, that left the window of Raila’s vehicle shattered, began when he sent the two ward representatives to check if they could address residents.
Mr Odinga and Mr Oparanya had driven to the slum village to visit families beaten and injured by members of the General Service Unit during the ongoing operation to recover seven guns and 184 bullets stolen from the Booker Police Post.
The weapons were taken away by gangsters, who also slashed a police officer on Tuesday morning.
The youths stoned vehicles and beat up Kakamega County Assembly member Crispus Oduor and Rockie Omwando, sparking a scuffle.
Former ODM national youth leader Rashid Mohammed, who had accompanied MPs Benjamin Washiali and Emmanuel Wangwe, told Mr Odinga not to politicise the issue of the police operation.
A brawl broke out during Mr Mohammed’s war of words with Mr Odinga’s supporters.
“Where were you when police were beating our youths and raping our women. We have no time for your stories,” Mr Mohammed told Mr Odinga.
The youths dismantled the public address system, making it difficult for Mr Odinga to address the crowd.
The commotion lasted nearly 20 minutes before Mr Odinga and Mr Oparanya drove away.
