Opposition leader Raila Odinga was forced to leave a rally in Turkana East after armed youths disrupted the event, according to an article originally published by Nairobi News.
Mr. Odinga, who was accompanied by Turkana Governor Josephat Nanok, had traveled to the area as part of a three-day tour to promote the new National Super Alliance (Nasa) political grouping.
Incident at Katilia Centre ¶
The rally at Katilia centre in Turkana East Constituency was cut short after a group of youths started throwing stones at the crowd, and another group of armed youth fired several rounds in the air. No leader had addressed the residents at the time of the incident.
Mr. Odinga later stated in Lokichar that the group of youths had been incited to disrupt the rally with the intention of targeting him. He condemned the actions, saying it was wrong for leaders to incite youths to violence.
"The youth wanted to hit Raila who had come in good faith to seek votes. The inciter is forgetting that he is also supposed to seek votes from the same people. That is a stupid act,"
he told Lokichar residents.
Response from Officials ¶
Mr. Nanok, who is also ODM’s national vice-chairman, said they had been informed that an MP had incited the youths to disrupt the meeting. He stated that they did not have a chance to address the rally due to the stone-throwing and gunshots.
Mr. Odinga also mentioned that the MP had told some of the youths to carry stones and firearms to the rally and target him.
Defections and Upcoming Rallies ¶
Turkana East MP Nicholas Ngikor, Turkana Senator John Munyes, and Loima MP Protus Akuja have defected to Jubilee from their respective parties. Mr. Odinga is scheduled to continue his tour in the region, with upcoming rallies in Turkana North, Turkana West, and Turkana Central constituencies.
