PHOTOS: Heavy security as Kenyans turn up for BBI Mombasa rally

Security has been heightened at the Mama Ngina Waterfront in readiness for the BBI Mombasa rally on Saturday.

Regular police officers as well as those from the General Service Unit (GSU) were spotted arriving at the venue as early as 6am.

Some were dressed in full riot gear while others carried batons and teargas canisters.

ODM leader Raila Odinga arriving at the Mama Ngina Waterfront, Mombasa in the company of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka for the #BBIMombasa rally. pic.twitter.com/pwemCFSGcM

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) January 25, 2020

A stand-off looms ahead of the BBI rally after the Tangatanga team allied to DP William Ruto announced that they would be taking part in the forum.

Though ODM leader Raila Odinga said all Kenyans are welcome to attend, the lawmakers led by Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet Senator) claim that there is a plot to ‘humiliate’ them.

According to Murkomen, the pro-BBI team has hatched a plot to deny them seats at the rallies or heckle them if they attempted to address crowds.

He, however, vowed to attend the rally, adding that if humiliating him and other leaders would help unite the county then it was a welcome challenge.

And on Friday, Murkomen’s counterparts Aisha Jumwa (Malindi MP) and Mohammed Ali (Nyali MP) were hounded out of a press conference by a group of rowdy youth.

The goons pelted the two leaders with stones sending them into a fit of rage.

“Hii tabia mtaacha…ambia Joho azidi kuwapa pesa za kipumbavu….njoo wewe mwanaume wanaume wamefika sasa….BBI kama wanasema ni ya kuunganisha wa Pwani lazima iunganishe wa Pwani….kama ni ya kuunganisha wakenya lazima iunganishe wakenya,” Ali said.

The legislator further lashed out at Governor Joho claiming that he was plotting to keep leaders allied to DP William Ruto from speaking at the forums.

Ali echoed Murkomen’s claims that secret meetings were being held ahead of the Saturday rally in Mombasa.

He lamented saying a section of Coast leaders have been locked out of the meetings yet they are the ones who know the problems facing their constituents.

“Sisi ndio tunafaa tuongee…sisi ndio tunajua shida ya Pwani…Huu upumbavu ya kuletewa ati wapwani hawataongea na wao ndio wataongea hiyo hatutakubali,” he said.

“Hii sio mali yako! Hii ni mali ya wakaazi wa Pwani na watafanyiwa BBI vile wanataka. BBI haitazungumzia regional governor eti muungano haramu eti mnaungana ili muweze kujitengenezea nafasi zaidi. Junet…keep your Migori we keep our Mombasa!” he added.