Youths disrupt Wiper rally in Makueni

Makueni, Kenya: A Wiper Democratic Movement political rally at Kasikeu market in Kilome constituency, Makueni County, was called off after rowdy youths disrupted it.

The youths believed to be supporters of Kilome MP Regina Ndambuki, stormed the venue and pulled down tents.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who was to preside over the rally, had not arrived at the venue when the ugly incident played out as party leaders watched in disbelief.

The placards waving youths numbering more than a hundred said they were in full support of Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua’s “Maendeleo chap chap and unity” initiative. They had placards that read in part: “Maendeleo chap chap. Kalonzo ni witu (Kalonzo is ours).”

Present at the time of the chaos included Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior, Makueni MP Daniel Maanzo and Machakos Deputy Mayor Bernard Kiala among others.

Senator Mutula Junior led other leaders in condemning the incident, which he blamed on the area MP.

“It is unfortunate and cowardly for the MP to organise youths to disrupt a peaceful meeting; we are aware money was given to disrupt the meeting,” he told The Standard on Saturday on phone, adding the party will take action against her.

The senator also took issue with the police covering the meeting for their failure to act, saying, “We alerted the police about the imminent attack and they watched helplessly as our tent was dismantled.”

But in a quick rejoinder, Ms Ndambuki vehemently denied any involvement in the incident but added Kilome people were unhappy with the way she was mistreated at Maanzoni Lodge during a Wiper retreat last weekend.

“What they did to me at Maanzoni was bad. May be the people of Kilome were acting in defence of their leader,” she told The Standard on Saturday from her Nairobi home.

Ndambuki is at loggerheads with Wiper party after she was vilified for supporting Governor Mutua’s development ideology.