Alego-Usonga MP Samuel Atandi is facing pressure from the Kogelo community in Siaya and elders from South East Alego location who want him to apologise over his alleged involvement in the assault of a local chief.
The elders have also urged the Orange party to discipline him for misconduct.
The pressure follows the allegations pegged on the MP that he was accompanied by armed youths on Wednesday when he stormed Chief Ogutu Ojala's home and beat him almost to death.
The chief was rushed to hospital in critical condition that evening.
However, according to recorded a statement that Atandi recorded at Siaya police station over the matter, he denied any involvement in the incident,
He accused his political opponents of dragging his name into the matter.
Residents including elders and South East Alego ODM officials met on Saturday at Pap Nyadiel chief’s camp and resolved that those behind the attack must be brought to book.
According to Kogelo community chairman Vitalis Ondewe and the South East Alego location chairman Apina Makawuor, the MP will not be allowed to set foot in Kogelo if he fails to apologise.
Ondewe stated, “Chief Ogutu Ojala is a son of Kogelo and if Atandi does not apologise to JoKogelo, he should not step into our area and should even forget our votes.”
The former councillor in the former Siaya County Council said he was speaking on behalf of the elders from Alego-Usonga, adding that residents are now living in fear of being attacked.
South East Alego ODM chairman Apina Makawuor said the Alego-Usonga branch of the party will soon meet to discuss the legislator’s behaviour.
"I have been in contact with the branch chairman John Orwenjo Umidha who has agreed to call an urgent meeting to discuss the conduct of the MP. This is not the first time we have heard of such complaints,” he stated.
The elders urged the government to restore public confidence in the security machinery by bringing to book those who assaulted the chief.
They also urged ODM national leadership to step in and rein in the legislator who was elected on the party’s ticket.
Okoth Oluoko said, “A Member of Parliament should be a role model, not a person mesmerized by the trappings of power who uses a slight opportunity to beat and maim those who elected him.”
Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga and county commissioner Michael Ole Tialal also termed the Wednesday incident criminal and uncalled for.
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