Several people were injured on Thursday and property of an unknown value was destroyed at an event attended by Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga.
This is after clashes erupted between two rival political groups of youths. The fight ensued after one group of youth attempted to block another group of mechanics from accessing the Wanga's event.
According to witnesses, the wrangles ensued immediately after the governor concluded her speech.
During the wrangles, the youth pelted stones and wooden clubs at each other which ended up destroying some of the nearby buildings and vehicles.
Governor Wanga had gone to address the plights of the mechanics who had lamented about their poor working conditions and overall welfare.
“Our main goal is to create a better business environment for all our informal sector groups,” Wanga stated during the event.
Police who were on high alert quickly rushed to the scene to quell the situation which forced residents to flee to their safety.
In a bid to stop the altercation, the officers shot in the air, a situation that saw the event momentarily halted as opposing groups turned against the officers.
The Jua Kali event which turned into a battleground saw the two groups fight in the face of the officers despite attempts by the police to intervene.
In an analogous situation in May this year, a fight ensued after the two groups, one aligned with Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko and the other with Uriri Member of Parliament Mark Nyamita.
During the incident, two people were injured including a nine-year-old boy who was part of the congregation that attended the funeral.
The governor while commenting on the matter, accused legislator Mark Nyamita of orchestrating violence in his constituency.
"I want to condemn those shameless politicians who think that politics should be that of violence and that the police should be part of their local goons," Ayacko claimed.
"We can not be intimidated by anybody, we are only intimidated by the fact that we have to be orderly people," the governor added.
