Raila’s meeting ends prematurely after chaos

The National Super Alliance (NASA) top echelon, led by their presidential candidate, Raila Odinga, faced hostility at City Clock in Kabarnet, Baringo County on Wednesday afternoon (July 12), when supporters of the ruling Party, Jubilee, shouted them down.

In their campaign rally that began at 2:30pm Wednesday at Kabarnet, the four NASA principals (Raila, Kalonzo, Mudavadi, Isaac Ruto)  had a difficult time addressing the crowd, which, a part of it, could be heard shouting: “Nasa waende nyumbani; Uhuru ndaani, ndaani”.

The meeting that was slated to take longer than the 30 minutes, ended prematurely when pro-Jubilee slogans were increasingly renting the air.

Odinga was the first speaker to take to the stage, when Jubilee supporters, donning the party’s branded T-shirts, stormed the rally, heckling the NASA leader.

Odinga, nonetheless, managed to put his message across, promising to beef up security in the volatile Baringo County if he clinches the presidency on August 8.

Odinga also promised that – if he gets elected as Head of State in the general election –, his government will offer free primary and secondary education to Kenyans.

After Odinga’s intermittent address, Musalia Mudavadi took to the platform, urging the gathering to embrace peace before; on; and after the August 8 general election. Mudavadi promised Kabarnet constituents that a NASA government will treat Kenyans equally, allaying fears that the Raila-led team will only focus on developing areas where the coalition enjoys massive support.

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto had his speech cut short, when irate Jubilee supporters began burning banners and posters, which had photos of the five NASA principals printed on them.

The Jubilee Party supporters went ahead to burn and tear into pieces posters of Baringo leaders running for elective seats on a NASA ticket.

Despite the chaos, the Kabarnet rally ended with no injuries reported.

Raila Odinga and the three other NASA principals, thereafter, took their campaigns to Chemolingot in East Pokot.

The NASA team, after Chemolingot rally, held their final rally of the day at Eldama Ravine.

Bungoma Senator; and one-fifth of the NASA formation, Moses Wetangula, who was campaigning in Bungoma County alongside other Ford Kenya leaders on Wednesday, July 12, has condemned the chaos witnessed at Kabarnet Wednesday afternoon.

Wetangula accuses Jubilee Party leadership, led by Deputy President William Ruto, of orchestrating the chaos.

“Jubilee Party leadership, led by Deputy President William Ruto, orchestrated chaos at a NASA campaign rally at Kabarnet in Baringo County, leading to a premature ending of the rally. It is DP Ruto who sent the goons. If that is how campaign trails will be conducted in this country, then, we’ll be leading this nation into a state of chaos. Leaders should be allowed to sell their manifestos to Kenyans without fear of being physically attacked,” said Wetangula.

The Bungoma Senator, who will be on the ballot on August 8 as he seeks re-election, has urged the Inspector General of Police, Joseph Boinnet, to launch an investigation into the incident; and bring to book the perpetrators of the Kabarnet chaos.

Wetangula further urged the IG to ensure that political seat aspirants are accorded adequate security when on campaign trails.