Former Nyatike Member of Parliament Edick Omondi Anyanga has been accused of shooting his opponent for opposing his political ambitions.
Anyanga, who is vying on the UPIA party ticket (an affiliate party of Azimio Coalition), is reported to have shot his opponent Justus Ochieng on July 23 at the back as he left a local pub at Lwanda Konyango, Migori County at around midnight.
The former MP was being driven in his car when he encountered Ochieng' before they had an argument that resulted in the former legislator allegedly discharging his firearm shooting the victim on his right side of the hip.
He sustained injuries and was rushed to a local hospital in Sori where he is undergoing treatment.
Calvins Nyerere, a friend of the victim, filed a police report indicating the 35-year-old was shot at the hip by the former legislator.
“He (Anyanga) started threatening the victim while inside his vehicle claiming that he has been going against his political ambitions,” the victim's friend recalled.
A picture of the shooting has since been widely shared on social media showing the victim who sustained injuries being attended to at a local hospital in Sori.
Police officers trailed Anyanga to his home where they recovered the firearm loaded with 12 live ammunition which they kept as exhibits.
The parliamentary hopeful was not arrested as police are still conducting further investigations into the matter.
His supporters, however, claimed that he was a victim of an attempted political assassination - suggesting he fired the firearm in self-defence.
"We condemn the attempt to eliminate Edick Omondi Anyanga last night by youths well known and sponsored by his opponent. We thank God their plan failed miserably and Anyanga is safe.
The youths must be warned not to be used by politicians to cause chaos and violence at any time. They are putting their lives in danger and those politicians will not be there when they are needed most," Olweny Atule claimed in a public statement.
The politician served as Nyatike MP from 2012 to 2017 under the ODM party and is seeking to send home the incumbent MP Tom Odege who is flying the ODM party ticket.
