Chaos erupted in Kisumu on Friday at a training exercise for Orange Democratic Movement party for the returning officers for Kisumu and Siaya counties in the coming party grassroots polls.
The training that was presided over by the party’s elections board commissioner Peter Odoyo was disrupted by party youths.
Youths numbering over 10 stormed the venue of the meeting and started throwing chairs and tables at the officials.
Several elections officials were injured during the skirmishes with most of them running for their dear lives.
William Odhiambo from Kisumu East constituency claimed Odoyo had altered the list of poll officials for the constituency.
“They are hiding here to alter the list, we will not accept it, the poll officials who had been recruited are the ones to oversee the elections,” he said.
However, Odoyo said there was a petition from party members in Kisumu East who felt that there were some polling stations that were lacking returning officers.
He down played the chaos noting that all arrangements have been made and the election exercise for the two counties will kick off tomorrow.
“That was a small hitch that will not deter our plans for the elections tomorrow. The issue of Kisumu East has been addressed,” he announced.
Police were called in to restore order but the training did not proceed further.