Azimio One-Kenya leader Raila Odinga could not address the meeting during the second day of the ongoing Turkana Cultural Festival - Tobong'u Lore after the event turned chaotic on Friday afternoon.
Raila and his brigade - former ministers Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa; former governors Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and Mwangi Wa Iria (Murang'a) - had to leave the podium in a huff after charged United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) politics played out.
Youth from the opposing sides clashed at Ekaales Centre, the venue of the cultural festival in Lodwar.
The event brings together the Ateker cluster communities along Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia borders to celebrate and share their rich cultural heritage, including dressing, food, song and cultural dance, among others.
The festival was on Thursday officially opened by President William Ruto, who pledged the gala would be elevated to a global event.
But, cheering by locals started when Turkana Central Ward Rep Ruth Kuya was addressing attendees.
Turkana Central MP Joseph Namwar then asked all guests to leave the venue immediately.
"There are no speeches anymore. You have come here to show us the chaos that we witness in Nairobi. There are no more speeches from now, and I am saying so as the Turkana Central MP. We have closed. Let us meet at the Mr and Miss Tourism Turkana in the evening," the MP said.
Speaking to the media moments after they had left the venue, Raila claimed State House had a hand in what happened.
"I don't need anybody's permission to come to Turkana. The region voted overwhelmingly for me in previous elections. The Governor of this county was elected on an ODM ticket," Raila said.
