[Deputy President William Ruto. He was heckled by youths in Kisumu on Wednesday. Courtesy: The Star]
Ruling party Jubilee leaders drawn from Luo Nyanza have condemned the heckling of Deputy President William Ruto during his Wednesday tour of Kisumu alongside President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Led by Karachuonyo MP James Rege, who is also the head of Jubilee campaigns in Luo Nyanza, the leaders termed the incident as "unfortunate," accusing local leaders of fueling the heckling prior to the visit.
“Heckling of the deputy president was the height of intolerance in a region lagging behind in terms of development,” the lawmaker said on Thursday.
“It is clear that the DP’s heckling was planned. How come some opposition officials warned him not to accompany the president and these unfortunate incidences occurred?” he posed, citing last week's remarks by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang who cautioned the DP against visiting the region.
The incident happened during the launch of a brewery in the lake city by President Kenyatta.
DP Ruto was shouted down while attempting to reintroduce the Head of State.
By and large, Uhuru got a receptive audience from the crowd.