Chaos erupts at the ODM membership registration event

Busia,

Tuesday, January 16, 2024,

KNA by Victoria Magar and Absalom Namwalo

Chaos erupted on Monday at the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) membership registration event at Busia Polytechnic Grounds.

The meeting was disrupted for a few minutes by a group of men who were armed with crude weapons leaving several people injured but later restrained by the police and the meeting continued.

It turned chaotic when the Busia Governor was heckled by a few youths and the Governor’s supporters reacted causing the scuffle which lasted for over 15 minutes.

It, however, emerged that Busia residents were angry at the inefficiency of Governor Paul Otuoma’s administration which has led to poor health services forcing residents to seek those services from the neighbouring Counties.

 Shortly after the Governor had finished verification of his party membership, chaos erupted forcing police to lob teargas canisters at the rowdy youth who had begun assaulting members of the public in attendance.

 The Governor was accused of being a Kenya Kwanza mole in the party as youths could not condone his close relationship with President William Ruto.

However, the ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga condemned the men disrupting the event calling on members to tolerant each other as he sorted out the mess in the party.

 "We as ODM members love peace and those planning to cause chaos should stop and it will not work with us," said Odinga.

 The same statement was made by Wickliffe Oparanya and he said that the event was meant to be peaceful and members should register in large numbers.

  "We should be peaceful and live well with our brothers and avoid such chaos which is not a good act," said Oparanya.

The meeting was conducted a few hours after former Governor Sospeter Odeke Ojaamong denounced his registration in the party to join the ruling party UDA.

“This is a historical mark and the conclusion of a significant chapter in my political journey in the ODM party. I have tendered my resignation from the Orange Democratic Movement political party, ending my relationship and membership within the party. I am grateful for your unwavering support over the years. Especially, I thank my former Party Leader Raila Odinga for tutelage and mentorship over the years. It's now upon me to put the community interests above my own, the future is bright,” noted Ojaamong on his official page.  

While addressing residents of Malaba earlier on, Raila hit out at the government for running down the Country's economy through mismanagement and huge taxes on residents they vowed to protect.

He challenged the Kenya Kwanza administration to be considerate while imposing taxes on the residents noting that a large percentage of taxes are mismanaged.

The Azimio leader was disheartened by traffic pile-up along the busy Northern Corridor, which stretched several kilometers slowing the Economy of the East Africa community.

 Raila was accompanied by Governor Otuoma, Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi, and Busia Women Rep Omanyo among a host of other leaders to launch the registration exercise in Busia County.

Courtesy; KNA