Raila calls for tolerance on a day his opponent rally was disrupted

ODM leader Raila Odinga receives defectors from Meru County at Chungwa House, Nairobi.[Emmanuel Wanson, Standard]

Orange party leader Raila Odinga has called for political tolerance on a day Deputy President William Ruto’s rally in the former's Kisumu backyard was disrupted by rowdy youths.

Raila, without making reference to the incident, said any politician is free to campaign in any part of the country.

DP’s tour of Nyanza was disrupted at Kondele when rowdy youths started throwing stones in what police has linked to the distribution of campaign funds.

Raila cited his recent trip of Mt Kenya where he was warmly received as he seeks to popularise his unity bid.

“All these people are Kenyans. Azimio La Umoja aims at uniting Kenyans without any form of discrimination,” he said.

“Those saying that so and so cannot be received well in some parts of Kenya are mistaken. Kenya is for all Kenyans and everyone has a right to go anywhere,” he added.

Kanu chairman Gideon Moi said while politicians may not agree in principle on a wide range of public policy issues, which they have often presented as individual manifestos or economic models, they must not give room to intolerance and incitement, thinly veiled as political competition, to tear the country apart. 
 
"We have witnessed with dismay the senseless violence in Kondele today, characterized by the pelting of DP William Ruto’s convoy with stones during his visit to Kisumu. I condemn these acts of violence and reject them in all their manifestations, whether real or stage-managed," said Gideon in a statement.
 
He said law enforcement agencies must move swiftly to hold the mastermind and perpetrators of yesterday's violence to account.

"It's saddening to see the violent events that took place in Kisumu today. We need to learn to be tolerant of each other in all walks of life. Violence breeds more violence which we don't want. All leaders, the IEBC, security agencies & Kenyans at large should condemn such acts," he said.

ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi also condemned the violence. "It's saddening to see the violent events that took place in Kisumu. We need to learn to be tolerant of each other. Violence breeds more violence which we do not want. All leaders, the IEBC, security agencies and Kenyans at large condemn sucha acts. One Kenya is what we all want," said Mudavadi.

Raila made the remarks at the ODM headquarters in Nairobi where he received defectors to the party.

Mudavadi's suffered a blow after his key point men in Mt Kenya East declared support to Raila’s presidential bid.

Led by ANC Mt Kenya coordinator Jacob Nairuti, the leaders switched their allegiance to the ODM leader, stating that he stands a better chance to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Former Ntonyiri MP – presently Igembe North – Ntoithia M’mthiaru, MCA Lucy Mukaria and former PS Mukiri Kirinya also defected to ODM.