Police were yesterday forced to intervene and repulse a group of rowdy youths who interrupted the Azimio-One Kenya Alliance rally in Moyale, Marsabit county.

The group gave security teams a difficult time protecting the Azimio brigade that included the coalition’s presidential candidate Raila Odinga, his running mate-Martha Karua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and a host of local politicians led by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani.

Police lobbed tear gas canisters at the youth who pelted stones at the VIP dais, disrupting the rally before the order was restored. Violence was blamed on the rivalry between local leaders fighting for the governorship.

“When we descended on this ground it was full. We have witnessed local issues and heard what you are saying. You will not fight again when we take over power. Please stay in peace so that the curfew imposed here can be lifted by the government,” Kalonzo said.

The crowd seemed particularly hostile to Yatani, a former area governor.

Karua told the crowd: “It will be upon you to determine the leadership of your county but the most important thing is that you elect Raila for the presidency. Let us seek votes for various seats in peace.”

 Raila who addressed a series of rallies pledged that all Kenyans will be enrolled on a comprehensive health insurance scheme dubbed ‘Baba Care’ when he takes over power.

 He cited sickness, illiteracy, corruption and poverty as major challenges facing the country that Azimio government will tackle.  “We have declared war on the corrupt. We will arrest all of them when we take over power. A third liberation to transform the country is coming soon,” Raila said.

 He promised that his administration will also tackle runway banditry in Northern Kenya which has seen many lives lost in the recent past. 

“We will come up with a livestock insurance fund to cushion farmers from losses occasioned by droughts,” Raila noted.

 “We want practical solutions to problems facing Kenyans sio maneno ya kuskuma wheelbarrow. Wheelbarrow apeleka kule Sugoi,” added Raila in reference to Deputy President William Ruto’s bottom-up economic model.

Practical solutions

 The ODM boss has been reaching out to pastoralist communities as he seeks to bolster his 2022 presidential bid and has already toured Isiolo and Samburu counties within the past few weeks. 

Raila yesterday promised that his administration will set up abattoirs for value addition of livestock products for farmers to reap fully from the sector.

 He also pledged to drill boreholes in the area to minimise conflicts among pastoralists due to the scramble for limited resources, especially during the dry season.

 Suna East MP Junet Mohammed called on the pastoralist community to elect Raila whom he said is the only one with the interests of Kenyans at heart.

 “The rest are self-seekers out to enrich themselves at the expense of problems facing Kenyans. Elect them at your own risk,” Junet said.

In Nairobi, a section of Muslim leaders threw their weight behind the Azimio coalition ahead of the August 9 polls.

 “We as Muslims have major issues with our rights and the rule of law that Karua has been passionate about. She is not pretending,” former Mandera Central MP Abdikadir Mohammed said during a dinner hosted for Karua.

Major issues

Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed on her part said: “She has been a champion of human rights, rule of law and inclusion of women in leadership.”

In Migori, the Nyanza regional Azimio presidential campaign team appealed to Kenyans to vote for Raila come August 9, saying he will liberate the country from the current harsh economic times.

Kisii Governor James Ongwae asked Migori residents to back Raila, saying the wind of goodwill was blowing towards Nyanza.

“This time around, we have smelled victory and we will not allow a few dissenting voices to pull parallel to our course,” declared ODM national chairman John Mbadi.