MPs Kaluma, Ogaga exchange blows, kicks before Raila Odinga

There was drama at an ODM rally in Homa Bay Stadium on Sunday, November 27, when Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament, Peter Kaluma, and his political opponent Washington Ogaga exchanged blows and kicks right before party leader Raila Odinga.

Ogaga has expressed interest in the Homa Bay Town parliamentary seat in next year’s polls; a seat currently held by Kaluma.

The two ostensibly engaged in a fist-fight after a superiority contest ensued, with each attempting to win Odinga’s approval.

The scuffle escalated, when supporters of Homa County Governor, Cyprian Awiti, and Kasipul-Kabondo legislator, Oyugi Magwanga, clashed at the stadium, with each camp attempting to reach the podium and take control of the program.

Awiti’s supporters vowed to push for the governor’s re-election as Magwanga’s supporters booed the governor, saying they will ensure he does not reclaim the gubernatorial seat in 2017.

Magwanga has expressed interest in the Homa Bay Governor’s seat, in next year’s polls.

Homa Bay County Woman Representative, Gladys Wanga, tried to pacify the warring camps, but her efforts were in vain, as Kaluma wrestled with Ogaga, giving a taste of the vicious scramble for the ODM ticket in the county, and others regions considered Odinga’s political strongholds. The amended Political Parties Act has barred aspirants who lose in party nominations from jumping ship.

It only took Raila Odinga’s intervention to restore normalcy at the rally, on his way to Waondo Village, Mbita Constituency, where he attended the second anniversary commemoration of departed Homa Bay Senator, Otieno Kajwang, who at the time of his demise, was one of his key political confidants.

Neither MP Kaluma nor Ogaga recorded statements with the police on the ugly incident, even as Homa Bay County Police Commander, John Omusanga, said his officers were investigating what or who could have ignited the scuffle.