Kenyans in Diaspora condemn disruption of Uhuru rally in Migori

Security officers shield President Uhuru Kenyatta (in red tie) when he rose to address a meeting in Migori that turned chaotic after youths started throwing shoes and shouting party slogans on September 8, 2014. PHOTO | CORRESPONDENT |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• @Washingtonosiro: This is absolutely…..unequivocally not acceptable. I do not agree with most of Mr. Kenyatta’s policies but I would not dare throw anything in his direction.
• “This was a sad incident. What makes Kenyans feel so passionately about their leaders that they would do something that could potentially endanger their own lives?” wondered Atlanta-based Maggie Marikah in a Facebook post.
• Prof Makau Mutua, a dean at the State University of New York, tweeted @makaumutua: I didn't support Uhuru Kenyatta for President, but I unequivocally condemn thugs who disrupted his official function in Migori.
• @OmondiFredrick said: “I condemn those who threw shoes towards the ... Presidential dais in Migori. We must respect the presidency even if we don't like the person.

By B M J MURIITHI

The chaos witnessed in Migori, where rowdy youths disrupted a rally attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta, was trending on Tuesday, with Kenyans from different parts of the world taking to social media to condemn the acts of hooliganism witnessed Monday.

By midday on Tuesday, Facebook and Twitter were awash with reactions from Kenyans, with most of them calling the incident unfortunate.

“I was very disappointed but at the same time impressed by the president’s response,” said Massachusetts resident Isaac Kanyingi in a Facebook posting.

On Twitter, @JoabOuya wrote: “It's shameful that the presidency is not respected.”

@OmondiFredrick said: “I condemn those who threw shoes towards the the Presidential dais in Migori. We must respect the presidency even if we don't like the person.

@Washingtonosiro: This is absolutely…..unequivocally not acceptable. I do not agree with most of Mr Kenyatta’s policies but I would not dare throw anything in his direction.

Former Kenya ambassador to the US Elkanah Odembo tweeted: "The chaos that visited the President's visit to Migori was a disgrace! No excuse whatsoever. The office of the President must be respected."

“This was a sad incident. What makes Kenyans feel so passionately about their leaders that they would do something that could potentially endanger their own lives?” wondered Atlanta-based Maggie Marikah in a Facebook post.

Nash Robert @nashrobert tweeted: "I don't care what grief you have. You DO NOT throw chairs or whatever in the general direction of the president! NO! #Migori

MAKAU MUTUA

Prof Makau Mutua, a dean at the State University of New York, tweeted @makaumutua: "I didn't support Uhuru Kenyatta for President, but I unequivocally condemn thugs who disrupted his official function in Migori."

Bonny Otieno said on Twitter: “Proud of how you handled the situation in Migori Mr President. Please visit Nyanza more, politics aside for now.”
Demetrius Mududa tweeted: “Don't blame politicians for the Migori incidence. It just confirms what Kriegler stated. That tribal divisions are our major undoing.”

On Monday, rowdy youths, chanting ODM slogans, hurled chairs and shoes at the presidential dais. They also prevented local politicians and invited guests from addressing them, cutting short the meeting. The president was there to launch an anti-malaria campaign.

The youths also threw plastic chairs across the field and aimed the shoes at the dais, forcing the presidential security team to throw a security cordon around the tent where the President and other dignitaries sat.

On Monday, Cord leader Raila Odinga, through his media relations officer, Dennis Onyango, described the events in Migori as unfortunate. Mr Onyango said in a statement: “Raila Odinga has learnt of the events from the media and described them as unfortunate and uncalled for.”

The National Alliance (TNA) termed the chaos “clearly choreographed hooliganism” aimed at the President.