NASA flag bearer Raila Odinga greets residents of Kiambu County, July 13, 2017. [Photo/Raila Odinga]
The National Super Alliance (Nasa) team led by its flag bearer Raila Odinga took its campaigns tour to Thika, Kiambu county, and Murang’a county on Thursday.
Raila alongside his co-principal Musalia Mudavadi and Machakos senator Johnston Muthama addressed residents at Kenol, Thika, Juja and Githurai.
The opposition team however received hostile reception in Thika town and Githurai. Supporters believed to be supporting President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party who were armed with stones and clubs, jeered the Nasa presidential candidate an threw stones at him and his entourage.
The opposition team was forced to flee the town and run for their safety after police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse the rowdy crowd.
Raila through a statement has condemned the incident. He noted Kenyans have a right to protest peacefully but should not be armed and cause chaos.
“Such violence has not been witnessed in this campaign season, and Odinga condemns it in the strongest terms. Peaceful protesting is a legitimate expression that people can employ to air their views to political leaders,” Raila’s advisor Salim Lone said.
“But it is another matter altogether when people come to a rally armed and prepared to disrupt it or cause violence,” added the statement.
The ODM leader called on police to probe the incident and bring the culprits to book.
“We urge the police to speedily investigate the information and the names of people mentioned on social media today. Should do the same with all other incidents of this kind,” he added.
“That is the only way to enable voters to make informed political choices that will help them meet their goals of a decent life in which food and other essentials are not taken for granted,” he said.