Drama unfolded on Wednesday, July 17, when Azimio la Umoja principals led by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka were disrupted by unidentified individuals who ordered them to move out of the venue in which they had gathered at.
The Azimio press briefing which was being held at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation was interrupted by the unidentified individuals forcing Kalonzo Musyoka to cut short his speech as Azimio Tv also immediately cut off their live feed.
Preliminary reports indicate that the unidentified men who hijacked the address while Kalonzo was speaking were dressed in black.
Kalonzo was making his remarks following the Azimio la Umoja National Executive Council (NEC) meeting which had brought together leaders of the opposition including former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who had left during the time of the address.
Odinga was not present during the commotion, with Kalonzo announcing that he had left earlier for an urgent meeting and asked the other principals to make the statement.
“Our Party leader Raila Amollo Odinga had to leave for an urgent meeting, and he has asked us to make this statement. The joined meeting of the Parliamentary Group of Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition party was held today Wednesday, the 17th of July 2024,” the Wiper Party leader was heard saying.
“The coalition expresses its sympathy and condolences to those who lost their loved ones and hundreds who maimed injured and who had their properties destroyed during the demonstration.”
However, Kalonzo was disrupted by shouts from the background prompting him to cut short his speech as him and other leaders standing at the podium stared towards the direction of the shouts.
Kalonzo Cuts Speech Short
“Toka! Toka! Toka! Watu waende nje, kila mtu nje! Meeting imeisha kila mtu aende nje! Watu wa media pia mtoke!”a man was heard saying in the background.
This loosely translates to “Get out everyone to get out, the meeting is over! Media people, also leave the meeting is over.”
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In another video seen by The Kenya Times, a man dressed in a black and red jumper who was shouting “Kila mtu aende nje” is seen ordering everyone to vacate the location as he led the other youths to turn chairs upside down.
“Nobody disrespects Raila when we are alive, no press conference here,” the youths shouted.
As the youths turned the chairs at the venue upside down, everyone at the venue including journalists who were covering the event, scampered for safety.
Some of the journalists at the scene took to social media to explain the ordeal, with a section saying that they were roughed up.
“Today we were forced to scamper for our safety as journalists in a press briefing called by Azimio. Goons invaded the meeting roughing us up and ready to take our equipment. Even some of our journalists have been hurt in the process,” said Lizah Mutuku, a journalist at the scene.
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Following the disruption, Kalonzo and the other leaders accompanying him ended the address whereas the Azimio Tv livestream was cut short.
It is not clear why the meeting was disrupted and why the Azimio principals did not issue their Parliamentary Group (PG) resolution before Raila left.
ODM Meeting
Earlier, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party held its PG meeting at the same venue.
In a statement, the party announced that it had resolved that the country should have a National Conversation to address long standing issues that affect Kenyans.
“The ODM PG/NEC meeting today resolved that we should have a National Convention/Conversation to address long standing issues that affect Kenyans. That a conducive environment should be created for the benefit of this initiative. Every Kenyan must be brought to the table,” read part of the statement.
Odinga during the meeting refuted claims that the ODM was going into bed with President William Ruto, further calling out the media for the claims, terming them as a “creation of the media”.
The opposition chief said that what his party was calling for is a National Convention where all Kenyans will be brought on board to air their views, further adding that it is a fact everyone is annoyed with the Kenya Kwanza government.
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