[A woman being roughed up by angry youth at Jumuia Hotel Kisumu for vote buying allegations last week. On Tuesday, three CDC employees were beaten for being suspected of ID buying in Bondo.Photo/Roberto Muyela]
Three Center for Disease Control (CDC) undertaking a Bilharzia testing at Misori beach in Rarieda Sub County narrowly escaped death after they were beaten viciously by members of the public who suspected them of vote buying.
According to an eyewitness Mrs Mary Nyayiera, the angry members of the public attacked the three employees, a woman and two men after word went round that they were asking for ID numbers from parents who had taken their children for Bilharzia test and giving them Shs. 200 in return.
The CDC employees, Mrs. Nyamira said, arrived early in the morning and with the help of local community health volunteers (CHVs) began running tests on the children who were brought by their parents.
Events however shifted gears when the crew supposedly demanded ID numbers from parents.
She revealed the three employees who sustained serious injuries were later rescued by administration police officers who lobbed tear gas canisters to restrain the irate mob who wanted to set their vehicle ablaze.
Nyabera sub location Assistant Chief, Akello Gumo, who confirmed the incident, said that the victims were CDC employees and were misconstrued to be ID buyers.
He condemned the incident accusing the public of taking the law into their hands.
However, West Uyoma ward Member of County Assembly Okoth Olasi said it was imperative that the CDC employees to have notified local administers and leadership about the event.
He, on the other hand, urged members of the public to remain vigilant and alert relevant authorities on anybody suspected to be buying ID cards especially at this time that the country is preparing for repeat presidential elections.