Raila cuts shot Iten rally after heckling by rowdy youth
ODM leader Raila Odinga was forced to cut short his campaign rally in Iten Town Elgeyo Marakwet County on Friday, April 1, 2022.
Addressing members of the public by the roadside in Iten, the former premier was forced to end the rally after heckling by rowdy youth.
Odinga had tried to rally the people to respond to his Azimio La Umoja inawezekana chant but instead of the desired response, the youth shouted "Ruto".
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ODM leader Raila Odinga and Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos during a campaign trail in Iten Town, Elgeyo Marakwet County, on Friday, April 1, 2022. |Courtesy| Raila Odinga Twitter|[/caption]
The Pro-Deputy President William Ruto chants were overwhelming, forcing the presidential hopeful to cut short his speech.
Odinga toured the region as he popularised his presidential campaign ahead of the August 9 general elections. He was accompanied by Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos who is a key ally of Odinga in the North Rift region.
The former premier met with grassroots leaders and residents of Elgeyo Marakwet earlier in the day at a hall in Iten Town, where they discussed development issues and what the region could benefit from in a Raila presidency.
ODM party has since issued a statement condemning the incident while calling for political tolerance in the country.
"We condemn in the strongest terms possible the unwarranted disruption of our PL @RailaOdinga’s rally in Iten by hired goons. This is an act of political intolerance that should be discouraged. Hustlers should be busy working to earn a living & not to be used to disrupt meetings," the party said.
Elgeyo Marakwet is one of the regions in the country considered a UDA stronghold, however, Governor Tolgos has since declared support for the Azimio La Umoja presidential candidate.
Odinga's heckling comes weeks after his wife, Mama Ida Odinga was heckled in Meru County.
The incident attracted uproar from leaders who urged members of the public to allow leaders the opportunity to express themselves irrespective of their political affiliation.
ODM leader Raila Odinga and Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos during a campaign trail in Iten Town, Elgeyo Marakwet County, on Friday, April 1, 2022. |Courtesy| Raila Odinga Twitter|[/caption]
The Pro-Deputy President William Ruto chants were overwhelming, forcing the presidential hopeful to cut short his speech.
Odinga toured the region as he popularised his presidential campaign ahead of the August 9 general elections. He was accompanied by Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos who is a key ally of Odinga in the North Rift region.
The former premier met with grassroots leaders and residents of Elgeyo Marakwet earlier in the day at a hall in Iten Town, where they discussed development issues and what the region could benefit from in a Raila presidency.
ODM party has since issued a statement condemning the incident while calling for political tolerance in the country.
"We condemn in the strongest terms possible the unwarranted disruption of our PL @RailaOdinga’s rally in Iten by hired goons. This is an act of political intolerance that should be discouraged. Hustlers should be busy working to earn a living & not to be used to disrupt meetings," the party said.
Elgeyo Marakwet is one of the regions in the country considered a UDA stronghold, however, Governor Tolgos has since declared support for the Azimio La Umoja presidential candidate.
Odinga's heckling comes weeks after his wife, Mama Ida Odinga was heckled in Meru County.
The incident attracted uproar from leaders who urged members of the public to allow leaders the opportunity to express themselves irrespective of their political affiliation. What's Your Reaction?
