Man stabbed after quarrel at polling station in Garissa

One person has been stabbed and seriously injured at Gababa polling station in Garissa County during the Masalani Ward by-election.

Mzee Muse Abdile Abdi who spoke to Daily Nationmoments after he was rushed to Masalani hospital said he had an altercation with another person over the election process while at the polling station.

"After [the] confrontation the man drew a dagger which he used to stab me in the stomach," said the 65-year-old man.

Doctors at the hospital said the man was seriously wounded below the stomach and that he will be referred to Garissa Hospital for surgery and specialised treatment.

SUSPECT INJURED

Ironically the suspects was also being treated at a room adjacent to where the victim was since he was also injured during the confrontation. He was under police watch.

Speaking at Masalani Primary School polling station in Ijara Constituency, Returning Officer Farah Abdi Ibrahim confirmed that the incident happened in the vicinity of the polling centre.

However, he said this is a criminal case and that the IEBC has left the police to conduct their investigations and prosecute the culprit involved.

"We have heard the unfortunate incident that one person was injured but we have talked to the police who are handling it because it is a criminal matter," said Mr Ibrahim.

NO HITCHES

At the same time, the returning officer said all polling stations opened on time with no hitches reported.

The by-election has attracted a lot of attention due to clan politics in the region.

The election could not be held during the August 8 General Elections as it was deferred following the death of Ibrahim Abdullahi in a road crash 33 days to elections.

His younger brother Mr Suleiman Abdullahi Muktar is now facing off with the outgoing MCA Abubakar Mohamed.

The ward election is seen as political duel between the current Ijara MP Sophia Abdinoor and her perennial political rival Ahmed Ibrahim Abass who was elected the Garissa County Assembly Speaker.

While Ms Sophia has given full support to Mr Suleiman Abdullahi with vicious campaigns, Mr Abass has thrown his weight behind former Garissa County Deputy Speaker Abubakar Mohamed shide.