Five suspects arrested with gun near polling station in Teso North

Five people were arrested in Teso North, Busia, after residents accused them of voter bribery.

The five were one woman and four men.

One man who had a pistol and threatened to shoot civilians was beaten by residents before police arrived at Mwari Primary School polling station, where the incident happened.

Police commander David Muange arrived at the scene and confiscated the gun. He was accompanied by GSU officers.

It was alleged that the gun was loaded.

Residents told the Star the five are supporters of one of the MP candidates in Teso North constituency.

The incident occurred about 100 metres from Teso North DAP-K MP candidate Lawi Mamai’s home in Mwari, Ang’urai South.

Mamai is battling six other candidates for the seat.

They include incumbent Oku Kaunya (ODM), Cornelius Omuse (independent), Samson Owino (independent), Fred Papa (Wiper), Charles Aramaina (MDG) and John Imoite of UDA.

Residents however accused the five suspects of being sent by one of Mamai’s opponents to bribe residents and cause chaos in the area.

The five suspects finally locked themselves inside the car until police arrived, for fear of being attacked by the public.

Residents barricaded the Mwari-Malakisi road to ensure the car used by the five did not leave the place before police arrived.

Police had a hectic time controlling the crowds who were baying for the blood of the five, after the door to their car was opened following police arrival.

Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations based in Teso North also arrived at the scene.

Mamai condemned the incident claiming the deployment of the five in his home area was meant to bribe his supporters, to tilt the election results.

“It is very unfortunate that I got word that some people have been caught near Mwari Primary polling station dishing out money. In the process of being frisked the citizens found a gun on one of them,” he said.

The candidate thanked residents for exercising patience and immediately alerting the security officers.

“This election is for the people of Teso North, they are going to be the winners and no amount of intimidation will stop them from exercising their democratic right,” he said.

Mamai, an IT expert, called on his supporters to remain calm, take part in the voting and wait for the final declaration of the results by the IEBC.

Muange could not address the press immediately.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)