Government has roped in licensed gun holders and police in investigations over political chaos which rocked Migori county.
Nyanza regional commissioner Flora Mworoa said it was unfortunate that cases of political intolerance have taken root in Migori where social functions have been marred by chaos.
“We have witnessed cases of political intolerance we call on the political class to tolerate each other,” Mworoa said.
She said they are working on recorded statements from members of the public and witnesses, adding that all who are responsible for creating chaos are criminal suspects and that action will be taken against them.
She was speaking in Migori town on Wednesday after a security meeting with police heads, county and subcounty commissioners and chiefs and their assistants.
“We had a routine security meeting in Migori county to review our operations and put in place measures for safety and implementation of government policies,” Mworoa said.
Government and police have come under continued pressure from politicians, civic organisation, elders and members of the public to rein in political chaos in Migori.
Hours after speaking, the ODM party in a press statement over chaos that have rocked Migori and Kisii counties faulted police and government.
“There is a clear and calculated plan to use state power to destabilise ODM run counties and constituencies in partnership with rogue members of the party,” Edwin Sifuna, the party secretary general and Nairobi senator said.
Sifuna said police and the provincial administration have been used to create the chaos.
“In Migori, police fired teargas at mourners in the direction of Uriri MP Mark Nyamita,” Sifuna said.
Nyamita who was invited to the meeting failed to attend. The party accused him of being an agent of UDA with the assigned task of sowing confusion and discord within ODM.
But speaking in Migori, the regional commissioner said their investigations will include police officers and government officers accused of taking part in chaos.
“We will not have blanket condemnation on police and government, those who are partisan will also be investigated as criminals and deal carry their cross individually,” she said.
She said investigations will also rope in all licensed firearm holders if they have abused them in public to threaten lives of Kenyans.
“The law against abuse and misuse of firearm by licensed holders is strict, suspects will have them withdrawn as we investigate,” she said.
Five days ago, at least two people were injured as youths allied to Migori Governor Ochillo Ayacko and MP Nyamita clashed in Rapogi village, Uriri constituency during a funeral.
Gunshots were fired in the air and teargas lobbed as youths used stones and other crude weapons to fight forcing family members and the church to leave the venue to continue with burial.
The chaos erupted during the burial ceremony of the wife and mother of Caspal Obiero who served as former Migori governor Okoth Obado aide.
The two died in a road accident that left his children with serious injuries.
Both politicians and their supporters have accused each other of masterminding the clash and called on police to launch investigations.