BY MANUEL ODENY

Migori county violent politics reared its ugly head on Friday as youths allied to Migori governor Ochillo Ayacko and senator Eddy Oketch clashed violently at a funds drive.

The Suna West constituency Boda Boda Sacco launch organised by Oketch at Assar Primary in Migori town quickly turned chaotic and violent after Ayacko who was not invited invaded the venue.

Oketch had called Siaya governor James Orengo, Cooperatives Principal Secretary Susan Mangeni and Bumula MP Jack Wamboka to the function, guest he accused Ayacko of calling to keep off the event.

“Orengo and my guests can never lie, you (Ayacko) calle them and tried to disrupt my function then you have the audacity to walk in unannounced, I will finish my function and walk off with the youths who will escort me through Migori town,” the livid Oketch said.

Earlier Ayacko was attending the homecoming party for his political ally, speaker Christopher Rusana at Mukuro center in the same constituency where trouble started when Oketch was denied a chance to speak.

He walked off from the Mukuro to his function which was live on social media in Assar where he was invited by a jubilant crowd where in a brief greeting said Ayacko had disrespected him.

“I left you (Ayacko) in Mukuro after Rusana refused to have me speak and attempt to merge the two function was thwarted, you will never disrespect me again here, “ Oketch said.

The bitter Oketch accused Ayacko of being disrespectful and antagonizing all county leaders despite him defending him against Suna West MP Peter Masara and Uriri MP Mark Nyamita, who have declared interest for the governor seat in next polls.

“I have never announced I want to unseat you and I have been accused of eating county funds with you when I defend you and I have toned down on oversight, and still show me disrespect I have a political bone to pick with you,” Oketch said.

He said he has often treated and addressed Ayacko in basis of truth and respect despite being insulted in public adding that “I am very bitter with you (Ayacko), your rivals have accused me of eating county funds with you and still want us to air our dirty linen in public.”

When Oketch left the Mukuro function in a huff and made a brief attack on Ayacko at Assar, Ayacko aides alarmed dispatched his allies the county secretary Oscar Olima, Oruba Ragana MCA Beatrice Onyancha, Kachieng MCA Brian Osodo and Kanyasa MCA Paul Okeyo to appease the ground.

Immediately the first team arrived angry youths at the function started beating up Ayacko’s orderlies who came with the first time briefly stopping the function.

“The governor told me he will come here to bring money, do you want governor or not? Why are you making noise? So you don’t want money? Be patient and see money with your eyes,” Onyancha tried to calm the charged crowd.

“I am telling Eddy you started off with Ayacko and you two loved each other, if there is any problem please work together for peace,” Onyancha begged before handing the microphone to Eddy..

When Oketch resumed his address Ayacko walked in with more orderlies as another wave of violence swept through as youths sloughed off as guests scampered to safety.

Oketch gave his personal contribution of Sh500,000, promised to pay for plane tickets to Sacco officials to Nairobi to ink a deal with a loaning unit for motorbikes and said he will have similar functions in Awendo and Kuria region before the year ended.

He also gave contribution from Awendo MP Walter Owino, Nyatike MP Tom Odege,. Suna West MP Peter Masara, Woman Representative Fatuma Mohammed and Rongo MP Paul Abuor who did so through Mpesa and walked off the podium before Ayacko could address the crowd.

“This was my function and funds drive, I have finished off my contribution and as a honour Migori town boda boda riders had planned to escort me home I will leave,” Oketch said leaving with the crowd in a parade through Migori town.

In Migori town he had mini rallies across town where he castigated the governor further.

“i came late to this meeting as a full governor, I say the senator had called his guests who asked him why he did not include me in this function, they called me asking the same and I say I was not included,” Ayacko said.

He accused Oketch of having a protocol hitch by calling another governor to the county and a senior government official without including him.

“People should respect each other, the senator could have called his fellow senators or even their speaker to this function,” Ayacko said.

His deputy Mahiri Gimunta and Olima said they came to the function for development and accusation that the governor tried to call off guests and disrupt the function was uncalled for.

Ayacko gave his personal contribution of Sh300,000 and handed over Orengo’s Sh200,000 contribution which the Siaya governor had sent to his bodyguard.

Earlier Suna East boda boda chairman Jack Omondi and his Suna West sub-county counterpart said they will back politicians who stand by riders in next polls.