Mike Sonko, Rutos lawyer Khan cause change in programme at Nakuru rally

There was a moment of bemusement at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru after the crowd demanded to be addressed by Nairobi Senator Mike Mbuvi Sonko and Deputy President William Ruto’s lead counsel Karim Khan, both of whom had not been listed as speakers in the original programme.

The first instance occurred when the moderator, Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter, introduced some of the leaders present with the crowd bursting into chants as soon as Sonko’s name was mentioned. It was then than Keter decided to give in to their demand and welcome Sonko to address them.

Like many leaders who spoke at the event, Sonko steered clear of politics, instead expressing his delight at the ICC’s decision to dismiss cases against DP Ruto and President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“We stood with President Kenyatta in prayers and we were even arrested at the airport for trying to prevent him from going to The Hague.

“In all this we knew that the cases against him were mere propaganda and they were going to collapse.”

In a different incident, Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri was forced to give in to the crowd’s demand and allow Khan to speak despite his earlier announcement that they had settled on a different person to speak on behalf of the lawyers who represented six Kenyans at the ICC.

Khan, in his speech, thanked Kenyans for the support and prayers saying he took up Ruto’s case because he believed in his innocence.

The event was also attended by all the six individuals who had cases at the ICC in connection to the 2007 post-election violence.

Several MPs, Senators, Governors and Cabinet Secretaries were also in attendance.

@benjaminwafula