Two people were Wednesday rushed to Marsabit Referral Hospital in critical condition after they were shot following chaos that erupted just after President Uhuru Kenyatta concluded a rally in Marsabit Town.
The victims were reportedly shot as police struggled to disperse rival groups of two Marsabit gubernatorial candidates — the incumbent Ukur Kanacho Yattani (Frontier Alliance Party) and Jubilee's Mohamud Mohamed Ali alias Abshiro — who had clashed.
Reports indicate the victims have been transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) with head, hip and thigh injuries.
Some media reports indicate one other person was shot but was treated and discharged after sustaining minor injuries. The other two suffered serious injuries.
Earlier in the day, the same groups had clashed at Moi Girls High School just before Uhuru and his deputy William Ruto arrived in Marsabit town.
[caption caption="Police disperse Jubilee supporters at Moi Girls' "]
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The warring groups are said to have hurled stones at each other chanting slogans in support of their respective candidates.
Police deployed to maintain security in the area were forced to lob teargas canisters to disperse the rowdy groups and calm was restored.
A second phase of the chaos would later erupt in the evening just after the Jubilee brigade had left, leading to the shooting.
According to the locals, Kenya Police Reservists are to blame for the shooting that occurred as police battled to arrest clashes between Jubilee supporters and those of the Frontier Alliance.
More people are believed to have suffered minor head and hand injuries as they scampered for safety.
[caption caption="Frontier Alliance Party supporters dispersed at Moi Girls"]
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Jubilee's Mohamud and Mr Yattani of the Frontier Alliance Party are both supporting President Uhuru Kenyatta's reelection. They come from two dominant tribes in the county — Gabbra and Boran — that want one of their own in the top county seat.
Meanwhile, three people have reportedly been arrested following the unfortunate incident.
[caption caption="Police disperse rowdy crowds at Moi Girls' "]
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