Security officers shield President Uhuru Kenyatta (in red tie) when he rose to address a meeting in Migori which turned chaotic after youths started throwing shoes and shouting party slogans on September 8, 2014. PHOTO | CORRESPONDENT | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Youths hurled shoes at the presidential dais on Monday, causing security tension at a meeting addressed by President Uhuru Kenyatta in Migori County.
The group had taken strategic positions in front of the dais and started shouting Orange Democratic Movement slogans soon after Migori Governor Okoth Obado moved to the microphone to address the gathering.
The youths also threw plastic chairs across the field and aimed the shoes at the dais, although it was not clear who the target was.
The presidential guard threw a security cordon around the tent where the President and other dignitaries sat.
President Kenyatta watched the unfolding drama calmly.
A section of the crowd — mainly women and children — at the well-attended meeting at Migori Primary School grounds, fled when police officers cocked their guns. However, no shots were fired. But minor injuries were reported.
The fracas marred an otherwise peaceful visit by the President, during which he addressed several meetings.
'BIG SHAME'
President Kenyatta unsuccessfully pleaded to the crowd to let the leaders present to be allowed to speak.
“Can we give them one minute each to speak before I continue?” asked Mr Kenyatta. The crowd responded in the negative and continued chanting ODM slogans.
Kitutu Chache North MP James Angwenyi walked out of the stadium in protest and headed to his car saying: “These guys cannot embarrass the President like this as I watch. This is a big shame I cannot withstand.”
Efforts by Nyatike MP Edick Anyanga and Migori Senator Wilfred Machage to calm the crowd fell on deaf ears.
As the jeers continued, Mr Kenyatta walked to the podium to make his address. But part of the crowd continued chanting ODM slogans.
“We have listened, can you now keep quiet so that we proceed?” he called on the crowd.
He eventually addressed the crowd amid muted jeers.
The President was in Migori to launch an anti-malaria campaign attended by dignitaries from the Global Fund and various embassies.
He said political competition did not mean enmity.
“I am a leader of everybody in Kenya and my government will serve all of you fairly and equally. I have a master plan to improve infrastructure in the country including roads and electricity.”
The Head of State and Mr Obado had earlier addressed roadside meetings in Awendo and Uriri towns where crowds blocked their convoy of more than 100 vehicles to demand that he addresses them.
President Kenyatta said he was ready to work with all leaders irrespective of their tribe or political affiliations to speed up development.
He, however, emphasised the importance of respect among leaders. “Democracy means that everyone must be given a chance to say what they have in mind and later we hold hands and go forward.
“This is why we are saying we want a nation where Kenyans will be able to walk together and unite to build the country,” he said.
'CHOREOGRAPHED'
On Monday evening, The National Alliance (TNA), condemned the chaos in Migori, claiming it was “clearly choreographed hooliganism” aimed at the President.
“We are deeply perturbed and appalled at the lack of respect that was shown through the acts of clearly choreographed hooliganism,” said TNA chairman Johnson Sakaja.
Mr Sakaja called for tolerance among followers of political parties, noting that similar incidents were displayed on Sunday during a Cord rally in Kibera, Nairobi.
“We appeal to political leaders from all sides to desist from misusing the youth to settle myopic and short-term political scores as witnessed today (Monday) and even yesterday, (Sunday) in Kibra constituency.
Instead, leaders should conduct themselves with decorum and show respect to each other despite political differences,” he said.
Kibra MP Kenneth Okoth was heckled at Mr Odinga’s meeting in Kibera on Sunday.
On Monday, Cord leader Raila Odinga described the events in Migori as unfortunate.
He said in a statement by his media relations officer, Mr Dennis Onyango: “Raila Odinga has learnt of the events from the media and described them as unfortunate and uncalled for.”
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