A man accused of assaulting Nyando MP aspirant Jared Okello has escaped a trap laid by the police.
George Odanga, pursued by Ahero police escaped at Ngere Kagoro on Monday after allegedly getting a tip from acquaintances.
Nyando OCPD Elias Gitonga confirmed the incident saying the police had put up road blocks in an operation to nab the man who was mentioned as the lead suspect in the attack.
Odanga who hails from Awasi had escaped from his home after getting wind that the police were trailing him.
He then boarded a Public Service Vehicle headed to Kisumu town before getting tips that the officers had already put a road block at Ahero.
“We had the registration number of the vehicle he had boarded at Awasi, so when we nabbed the vehicle at Ahero, the conductor told us that ‘the guy we were describing’ had alighted at Ngere Kagoro,” said Gitonga.
Odanga was said to have been among the nine people who attacked Mr Okello in Ahero during the burial of Odote Ojiem two weeks ago.
Okello who is vying for the Nyando parliamentary seat had recorded a statement at Ahero Police Station, saying the attackers were well known to him and could have acted on an instruction from a financier for political motives.
Gitonga has however confirmed that police are looking for the suspect and will soon catch up with him.
“We nearly arrested the said man, but I believe the escape will not be long. We are also pursing others who were mentioned by the attack victim,” he said.
Okello expressed confidence that justice will prevail in the case so as to avoid political tension ahead of the 2017 general elections.
“The elections are due and as people get into the campaign mode, we should avoid such acts which can interfere with the peace of Kenyans. Those perpetrating violence must be put to their correct place,” he said.