Police in Siaya County are hunting down local politicians who are suspected to have played a pivotal role in the anti-government protests on Wednesday.
The latest is Yimbo East Member of the Siaya County Assembly Francis Otiato who is being linked to the youth who pelted the Bondo Police Station with stones.
Siaya County Police Commander Michael Muchiri wants Otiato to explain his role in the barbaric happening.
"You are required to record a statement with the DCI in Bondo this evening regarding your continued role in leading youths in attacking the police station," Muchiri wrote to Otiato on Wednesday evening.
Bondo is the hometown of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance boss Raila Odinga and it has since turned out as the epicentre of violent confrontations in Siaya County.
According to Muchiri, the failure by Otiato to honour the summon will be translated to mean that he was defiant.
"You've been properly notified and your failure to heed such summons would mean that you have everything to hide on this serious matter," Muchiri told Otiato.
The long arm of the law won't rest until your version of this allegation is heard, Muchiri's summon continued to read.
Otiato - a former police officer - however, termed the summon as a ploy by the security team in Siaya to deny some leaders an opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to protest.
"I am yet to record a statement but I will do so at the earliest opportunity since I am currently away on official duties. I cannot refuse to be interrogated," Otiato said.
He maintained that the hooligans who attacked the police station did so after they had finished the "peaceful" demonstration and exited Bondo town.
Elsewhere, tension was high outside the Siaya Law Courts on Thursday as anti-government protesters demanded the release of Siaya Township MCA James Otare.
Otare was later released on a bond of sh100,000 after he was charged with allegedly participating in an unlawful assembly and destruction of property.
His case will be coming up for mention on July 24, 2023.
The MCA, with a huge support base in Siaya town, spent a night at the Siaya Police Station on Wednesday.
Wednesday last week, the protest in Bondo town was led by Alego Usonga parliamentarian Samuel Atandi and a host of local MCAs.
According to Bondo Sub County Police Commander Robert Aboki, the politicians, in their addresses, incited the protestors to throw stones at the police station.
On Tuesday, July 18, this writer noted that window panes, including those of Aboki's office had been shuttered and the police canteen partially burnt down.
Aboki said that the vandalism was a result of the protests of July 12, 2023.
"Our political leaders are not doing the right thing by inciting protestors to attack the police station. Demonstrations should be done by people who are peaceful and unarmed," Aboki said.
During the fracas on July 12, a police statement from Bondo Police Station indicated that 11 police officers sustained serious injuries to various parts of their limbs, back, face and dental formula.
The officers, the statement said, included: Kahindi Charo, James Osiemo, Johnson Kitur, Eric Juma, Joseph Korir, Peter Tanui, Duke Monari, Dennis Ochieng, James Ewol, Boniface Oduor and Wilson Thiga.
"Despite all that, I told my officers to act with restraint," Aboki said.
During the July 19, 2023 protest, the station was attacked once again.
The Bondo Sub County Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Michael Oduol told The Star that four people were admitted to the facility with gunshot wounds.
"Yes, we received four patients with gunshot wounds and we referred one to Kisumu on Wednesday. We haven't received any patient today (Thursday)," Dr Oduor told the Star on Thursday at around 2:30pm.