Supporters of Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga caused chaos on Friday by blocking Governor
Cyprian Awiti's access to Homa Bay town..
Riot police had to use tear gas to disperse the demonstrators who chanted anti-Awiti slogans.
The incumbent won the ODM nominations held on April 24.
Magwanga and Medo Miasma will vie for the seat as independent candidates.
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But the protesters said Awiti has under-performed and does not deserve a second term.
“Homa Bay Hospital is in a poor state. Electricity and water supply has been cut.
What does he want to tell us now? Tiachaa!
Tiachaa!” a youth shouted.
Tiachaa is
a name associated with Magwanga.
The youths put up a human wall on Rongo- Homa Bay road and blocked Awiti’s
convoy at Sofia estate.
The Governor was on his final leg of a meet-the-people tour that included stopovers at Rangwe, Rodi Kopany and Ndhiwa markets.
The chaos forced business people to close down their premises for fear of looting.
The crowd had demanded that the county boss explain
how he secured the ODM ticket.
They threw stones and empty plastic bottle at him.
“Tiachaa tiachaa! Tell us how you got that certificate,” they shouted.
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At Rodi Kopany market, Awiti said he was aware that some youths had been hired to block his entry.
“I won’t be cowed by a few youths who have been hired to heckle and block me. They won't succeed,” he said.
He was with Deputy Governor Hamilton Orata, several executive members and Kasipul MP ODM nominee Charles Ong’ondo.
But in an address to supporters at the Bus Park he acknowledged that his administration could have performed better.
“I know we did not do much but I assure you that if you support my governorship I will perform better,” he said and left after about 10 minutes.