Stop public fights with ODM, Jubilee politicians told

Jubilee legislators have been warned against engaging in political showdowns with their CORD counterparts at the detriment of locals.

Speaking in his constituency on Monday, Juja MP Francis Waititu said that political duels could result in unnecessary tension that could affect the existing peaceful coexistence between opposing supporters.

The MP said the tussle over a rally venue between Jubilee and ODM was uncalled for, adding that such cases are not helpful to the country’s peace.

“There is no need to fight over a venue, we can arrange meetings on different days or different places,” advised Waititu.

He was speaking in reference to a standoff between Jubilee and the opposition last week with each of the political parties wanting to hold their rally at Masinde Muliro Grounds in Mathare Constituency.

Jubilee later gave in and chose to hold their rally at Mlango Kubwa, though still in the same constituency.

Chaos broke out after the ODM rally that lead to the torching of a pickup truck after the driver allegedly hit one of the supporters.

Police had to use teargas to disperse the crowd and bring the situation in control.

“Just the other day we, Jubilee MPs, had to contribute Ksh10,000 each to buy a businesswoman a new bus after her matatu was burnt down by CORD supporters during their anti-IEBC demonstrators. Do you think MPs will contribute to buy a new pick-up?” posed Waititu.

He called on the inspector general of police to launch investigations into the circumstances under which the pickup truck was burnt, and the arrest of those behind the act.

“People have camera phones and I’m sure they captured the hooligans who burnt down the pickup. We need people arrested and these acts of hooliganism brought to an end,” said Waititu.

The ODM rally on Sunday was led by Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and his Nairobi counterpart Evans Kidero, while the Jubilee rally was led by Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko, Nominated MP Johnson Sakaja among others.