Chaos disrupts Raila Odinga's rally in Garissa

Azimio la Umoja Coalition flag bearer Raila Odinga who was accompanied by his Running mate Martha Karua in Dadaab Garissa County on June 27, 2022. [Emmanuel Wanson ]

The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya rally in Masalani, Garissa County, yesterday ended prematurely after supporters of Garissa Governor Ali Korane and former Governor Nathif Jamaa clashed.

Mr Korane is defending the seat on a Jubilee ticket while Jamaa is seeking to reclaim the seat on ODM.

Hell broke loose when Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka welcomed the governor to make his remarks, after other leaders, including Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua, had addressed the rally.

But supporters of Mr Jamaa disrupted Korane’s speech, sparking chaos.

Police quickly formed a ring around the leaders when a group of supporters armed with crude weapons stormed the dais.

It was helter-skelter as local politicians and residents fled for dear life. Raila’s and other leaders’ security teams evacuated them to their choppers at the airstrip.

Raila was accompanied by a host of other leaders, including Cotu Secretary General Frances Atwoli and former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth.

Although there were reports that some residents sustained injuries following the chaos, Masalani OCPD Kipkoech Beren downplayed the matter, saying they managed to contain the situation.

“There has been chaos as some people never wanted some politicians to speak but we managed to contain the situation and leaders proceeded to another meeting in Bura East,” Mr Beren said.

In Bura East, only the Azimio presidential candidate and his running mate addressed the rally perhaps to avert chaos that have characterised the rallies in Northeastern.

Raila promised to prioritise water provision by sinking boreholes and harvesting rain water.

He further pledged that Azimio government will improve infrastructure to open up the region for trade with other counties.

The ODM leader popularised his Babacare health programme, saying it will ensure access to affordable healthcare for all.

Addressing a rally in Dadaab, he promised to open the Kenya-Somalia border if elected into office on August 9.

He said trade between Kenya and Somalia will improve the local economy.

Leaders have been urging the government to reopen the border after it was closed due to Al-Shabaab attacks in the country.

“We will also work towards improving security of locals and for this we say extra-judicial killings must end in this country. You can’t be the police, prosecutor and the judge,” he said.

Raila promised that from next year every Kenyan child from nursery to tertiary level will study for free and access equal opportunities.

He criticized Deputy President William Ruto’s wheelbarrow economy, saying it is not a solution for jobless Kenyans and promised to create jobs for the youth.

Karua said the Azimio administration will fully implement the 2010 Constitution.

She said forced disappearance of persons in the region will end if they are elected into office.

“If someone is a criminal let him be charged in court but extra-judicial killings will not be acceptable, our government will work towards abolishing such,” she said.