Ruth Odinga and Fred Outa charged over IEBC staff attack

Kisumu Senator Fred Outa (left) and Former Deputy Governor Ruth Odinga at the Kisumu law court on October 23, 2017. Photo | Ondari Ogega | NMG

What you need to know:

  • Youth allied to Nasa disrupted a planned IEBC training session of Kisumu Central presiding officers.
  • They vandalised tents and plastic chairs belonging to Tausi Designs and Promotions Limited.
  • Mr Outa was independently charged with incitement to violence.

Former Deputy Governor Ruth Odinga and Senator Fred Outa were on Monday brought before a Kisumu court and charged with offences related to attacking Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) staff last week.

The two faced five charges that include entering an IEBC centre without authority, obstructing an election officer from executing lawful duties contrary to the Election Offences Act and malicious damage of property.

Appearing before chief Magistrate Julius Ng’arng’ar Monday, the duo were charged jointly with others before court with entering Prosperity Building in Kisumu, an area designated for training of presiding officers ahead of the October 26 repeat election, without authority.

Disrupted IEBC training

Last Wednesday, youth allied to Nasa disrupted a planned training session of Kisumu Central presiding officers and their deputies and vandalised tents and plastic chairs.

Mr Outa was independently charged with incitement to violence and both were charged with stealing 94 plastic chairs and 11 tent stands valued at Sh92,000.

“Without lawful excuse, Mr Outa uttered words ‘Demolish and destroy these IEBC equipment and tent’...which are owned by Tausi Designs and Promotions Limited,” said Mr Ng’arng’ar.

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