Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was on Friday, October 13, forced to leave the Tobong’u Lore festival prematurely after chaos erupted.
Odinga, who was gracing the festival alongside other Azimio La Umoja leaders was whisked away after the unidentified youth disrupted the meeting, turning the venue rowdy.
Moments before the disruption, a local leader was addressing the festival asserting his strong reservations against the political activities of the opposition faction.
The festival was suddenly brought to a standstill with the speaker appealing for calm albeit with no success.
Moments later, the former Prime Minister addressed the press and condemned the hostile environment experienced in the meeting.
In his address, Odinga described the chaos as an act of stupidity stating that it was a plot aimed at preventing him from addressing the festival. He asserted that he does not need permission to attend a function in Kenya.
Raila Calls out Turkana Governor
Further, Odinga accused Turkana Governor Jeremiah Ekamais Lomorukai of conniving with pro-government officers to ensure he does not get a chance to address the festival.
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According to him, the Governor had complained about the failure by the Azimio camp to communicate plans to attend the festival.
“What I wanted to do here today is basically to tell these people that they need to unite with the people of Kenya. This region has voted for me and for ODM and Azimio in the last general elections,” Odinga stated.”
“The governor of course was saying that he was not aware, but he was very aware. And I know that he gave assurances to Mr Ruto that he will not allow us to speak here today.”
The chaos came a day after President William Ruto officially opened the celebrations meant to appreciate indigenous cultures in the region.
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Whilst the cause of the disruptions was not yet confirmed, the festival came on the back of political hostilities pitting the ruling Kenya Kwanza Coalition and the opposition.
ODM Governor shifts allegiance
In September, Governor Jeremiah Ekamais Lomorukai published an advert praising Ruto’s government for its role in leading peace missions across the world.
In particular, Lomorukai lauded the government’s offer to lead a multinational police mission in Haiti describing it as an extraordinary commitment.
Further, the Governor vowed to work with President William Ruto‘s administration despite having been elected on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party ticket.
“I am optimistic that Kenya has the potential capacity to not only address its domestic challenges, but also exercise leadership in regional and international affair,” the Governor noted in the advert published on a local daily.
