National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has broken his silence after opposition leaders led by former Vice President and Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka accused him and the state of sponsoring goons to disrupt a rally by opposition leaders in Bungoma County.
Kalonzo and other opposition leaders — including former Deputy President and DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua on Friday, July 4, spoke at Kimilili market, Bungoma County, during their Western tour, where they accused leaders allied to the ruling administration of using goons to attack them.
On the second day of the tour, which attracted crowds at several stops, pockets of violence rocked their incursions after rowdy youths attacked their convoy while en route to Chwele, Bungoma.
The opposition’s motorcade, which also comprised former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and former Attorney General Justin Muturi among others, saw rowdy youth pelt their vehicles with stones.
Wetang’ula responds to accusations by Kalonzo
The commotion caused a traffic snarl-up as the opposition leaders’ team tried to restore order.
Kalonzo accused Speaker Wetang’ula of sponsoring the goons who targeted their convoy.
“Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s state-sponsored goons throwing stones and firing bullets under the protection of Riot Police did not deter our March to Kitale,” he said.
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However, the Speaker denied the allegations in a statement on Friday night- stating that he was not in Bungoma at the time of the incident.
Following a comment made by the Wiper Party leader, Wetamg’ula explained that he was in the Coast region.
The speaker added that he had nothing to gain by disrupting the rally.
“Kalonzo, my brother, as you have correctly addressed me, stop your misplaced anger and transferred malice,” he responded.
“I’m in Mombasa. Keep me out of your angry politics. In case your memory fails you, I was last a constituency MP in 2013.”
Opposition leaders accuse state of hiring goons to disrupt rallies
On day two of their tour, the opposition leaders kicked off their rallies in Butula Constituency, Busia County, with the official opening of the DAP-K offices.
This was before they proceeded to Bungoma County and concluded the day in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County.
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Following the incident where their convoy was attacked, the leaders proceeded to engage with the residents where they emphasized their clarion call for President William Ruto‘s exit from office.
Former DP Gachagua also faulted Speaker Wetang’ula over the chaos.
“President Ruto is using his cronies to organise goons to prevent us from talking to our people. I want to tell Wetang’ula that he should know Ruto and his government is one-term, and the earlier he realises this, the better,” said Gachagua.
Matiang’i, on his part, termed the attack an act of dictatorship and a clampdown on democracy.
“Gone are the days when leaders use goons and youths to deny their fellow leaders the opportunity to address their people. Kenya is a democratic country, and we will not allow uncivilised acts by uncivilised leaders to claw back on democracy,” stated the former CS.
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