IEBC bans campaigns in Raila’s stronghold as he loses community respect

July 1, 2017

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By Kenya Confidential Nyanza Politics Correspondent – Kisumu, July 1, 2017

Nairobi ODM chairman, George Aladwa, openly told Kenyans that Raila is this year’s ODM’s last bullet and if some Kenyans die for him to be president, so be it. Raila promptly claimed Aladwa had been “misquoted”. That is how firmly he will defend violence.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has suspended campaigns in NASA flag-bearer Raila Odinga’s home County of Siaya. The unprecedented order begins with immediate effect.

The suspension follows the chaos that marred Raila’s rally in Rarieda last Monday and then neighbouring Migori among several other parts of Nyanza Counties. This is the first time the electoral body has been forced to take such drastic week-long suspension of campaign rallies.

ODM hooligans roughing up police officers

Supporters of Rarieda MP Eng. Gumbo and those of the Siaya County Governor Cornel Rasanga clashed forcing ODM party leader Raila to end his campaign rally in his own County. Kenyans have yet to see supporters of Ferdinard Waititu and those of William Kabogo fighting to the extent of forcing Jubilee candidate Uhuru Kenyatta to abandon a campaign meeting in Kiambu County.

Raila was compelled to end the rally after youths allied to area MP Nicholas Gumbo threw stones at the gathering. The opposition chief had urged the residents to vote only for ODM candidates in the August elections.

The Siaya incident brought to light the deep-seated discontent over shambolic ODM party nominations and dictatorial efforts by Raila to impose his chosen leaders upon the Luo community. The discontent is publicly percolating through the Luo community as open disrespect to Raila himself. If he expects the same people showing such glaring disrespect to him at his hour of need to vote him president to domineer over them even more, he must be living in a delirious dreamland.

Raila has been warned by the Luo Council of Elders that he risks denting his presidential aspirations if he does not allow Nyanza people to elect leaders of their wish. The caution by the Elders comes after calls by the former Prime Minister rooting for six piece voting system amid protests from section of supporters backing independent candidates.

“We understand the residents of this region, especially the Luo, (and we) know how they will vote… They should be left to freely decide whether to go for the six-piece voting pattern or not,” the council’s chairman, Opiyo Otondi said.

The elders warned Raila to be cautious during his campaigns to avoid possible falling-out among NASA supporters in the region.

Otondi warned that if chaos continues to be witnessed in Raila’s campaigns, his candidature will not attract voters, urging him to embrace other candidates who have pledged support for his presidential aspirations.

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Trouble started when Raila invited Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga to address the crowd. Rowdy youths started chanting in support of gubernatorial candidate Nicholas Gumbo and woman representative candidate Florence Aluodo, who are running as independent candidates.

Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo and NASA double-deader Raila Odinga.

However , Gumbo rubbished claims linking him to the violence. He said the fracas was stage-managed to portray him as violent.

Rowdy ODM hooligans show no respect to fellow citizens when they pounce on them with blows, plastic seats, rungus or pelt them with stones. They are also never bothered to kick and about police officers intended to maintain law and order.

Siaya County Returning Officer Ruth Kulundu said all candidates are barred from conducting their campaigns until July 7.

Siaya County governor angry-looking Cornel Rasanga.

In a meeting with aspirants, Kulundu warned that failure to adhere to the order will be met with severe punishment. She further warned that the ban will continue after July 7 if there will be no signs of tolerance among candidates or their supporters.

The meeting was attended by Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga, independent candidates Nicholas Gumbo and Florence Aluodo.The county security team, led by county commissioner Josphine Onunga, also attended the meeting.

The violence experienced in many parts of Luo Nyanza are the fruits of political policy that guides Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) that its leader condones to a large measure. Recently he has started provoking ethnic hate among the peace-loving Maasai aimed at land skirmishes with the Kikuyu community.

To a majority of Raila followers politics is best expressed through violence and when occasion calls, mass action in which crowds possessed by mob hysteria destroy and loot business establishments, stone fellow citizens and at times even kill.

ODM chairman in Nairobi George Aladwa openly told Kenyans that Raila is this year’s ODM’s last bullet and if some Kenyans die for him to be president, so be it. Raila promptly claimed Aladwa had been “misquoted”. That is how firmly he will defend violence.

Political violence has spread to many parts of Kenya on seeing that perpetrators are never punished. Indeed, Kenya has suffered post election violence every year since 1992 except 2003, when Raila took a ride on Mwai Kibaki’s presidential campaign. It is difficult to understand how a leader whose political philosophy is founded on violence and deep rooted in ethnic hate can unite a country as Raila claims he will.

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