The brother of former Ukwala town council chairman Sylvester Wire was yesterday beaten by youths allied to ODM party.
Sam Otieno was cornered by the ODM supporters who pounced on him with crude weapons, inflicting injuries on him and two others.
It started when the ODM brigade, led by Siaya Senator James Orengo, mounted a roadshow at Yenga trading centre to woo support for their candidate Chris Karan.
When the leaders announced Karan's name during their public address, women shouted that of MDG candidate Dave Ochieng.
Efforts by Orengo to calm the women, who demanded that they leave the venue, were unsuccessful as they chanted "MDG! MDG!"
This forced Orengo and his team to drive off in a huff as the youths armed with crude weapons descended on the public.
Otieno, who was leaving a local bar for home, found himself in the melee forcing him to dash back into the building for safety.
The youths cornered him before unleashing blows and kicks inflicting injuries on his head and legs.
They further damaged chairs at the business premises before boarding a waiting car that drove off to an unknown location.
Otieno was later rushed to Ukwala Subcounty Hospital where his head injuries were stitched before he was referred to Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu.
The owner of the premises, Odhiambo Omuny, demanded compensation and asked politicians on the campaign trail to "restrain their supporters".
Wire, who spoke to the Star, said his brother and two other victims have recorded statements with the police who have launched a manhunt for the suspects.
Ukwala MCA Peter Omondi visited the victims in hospital before defending one of his staunch supporters from the wrongdoing.
Wire vowed that the suspects must appear before court when arrested.
Following a spate of attacks ahead of the April 5 by-elections, a contingent of GSU officers has been dispatched to hot spots including Uranga, Yenga, Sega and Ukwala.
