Bitter rivals in South Gem ward elections bury hatchet

Scores suffered serious injuries when supporters of two leaders clashed during the December 8 polls at Kambare polling Station in Siaya County.

A vehicle was torched at the height of the politically instigated violence that ended up with police launching investigations. Some people were arrested following the skirmishes.

But on Saturday, Brian Anyango who now is the South Gem MCA and his main rival Polycarp Wanga shook hands and agreed to bury the hatchet and team up for the sake of the ward's development.

The truce was brokered by Kisumu City manager Abala Wanga, the elder brother to Polycarp Wanga who contested the seat on an ODM ticket but lost to Anyango, who was running as an independent candidate.

It happened during the 22nd memorial mass of the late Mzee Stephen Wanga Odumo at Kasagoma village in the Gem constituency.

It was witnessed by among other leaders, revenue allocation commissioner Dr Jalan'go Midiwo, engineer Sam Opot and other top leaders from the Gem constituency.

Speaking during the event, Kisumu city manager Abala Wanga noted that his late father and the father of Anyango were great friends.

"We can not be divided as a family because of politics. Our fathers were great friends," he said.

Polycarp Wanga agreed to support Anyango for the sake of the development of the South Gem ward.

"I ask the church leaders to pray for us so that we unite the people of this area and be able to pursue the development agenda in a peaceful environment," he said.

The MCA applauded the gesture and vowed to work tirelessly to improve the welfare of the residents of South Gem ward.

He further vowed to work closely with the Orange party even though he rode to the county assembly as an independent candidate.

During the truce, Polycarp said he would withdraw a court case challenging Anyango's election at the High Court.

Another petition he filed against Anyango at the chief magistrate's Court in Siaya flopped, forcing him to move to a higher court.

He also filed a complaint against the magistrate who handled the petition with the judicial service commission.

It was not immediately clear whether he will also drop the complaint against the magistrate at the JSC.

During the December polls, Anyango, alias Otuom Polo, narrowly beat the ODM candidate after he garnered 3,469 votes against his closest challenger who got 3,353 votes.

Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo was behind the independent candidate and even congratulated him after he was declared the winner.

Elisha publicly linked himself with the campaigns that saw Anyango beat the ODM candidate.

The MP and the MCA are currently in opposing camps, with Elisha learning towards President William Ruto's UDA and the MCA switching to ODM.