Thousands of Garissa County residents thronged Garissa town on Saturday to welcome Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
The two were in Garissa to cool down rising political temperatures following revelations that there were plans to evict non-locals from Garissa Township ahead of the August polls.
Residents from far constituencies of Fafi, Daadab, Lagdera, Balambala and Ijara left their homes as early as 6am headed for Garissa town to welcome the two leaders who were joined by Garissa Governor Nathif Jama and a host of opposition MPs.
Also present was former Parliament Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim who is eyeing the seat of MP in Garissa Township currently held by House Majority Leader Aden Duale.
Joho and Kalonzo used the occasion to campaign for Mr Maalim who is contesting for the seat on a Wiper party ticket.
Maalim, according to residents this writer spoke to is a force to reckon and is expected to give Mr Duale a run for his money ahead of the forthcoming polls.
The peace rally comes after Mr Maalim accused Mr Duale of hatching a plan to evict non-Somalis in Garissa town.
Non-locals are said to be supports of the opposition and this, to Duale, according to Maalim, is a threat to his (Duale) bid to retain his seat in August.
Joho traveled to Garissa one day after being released by police following his arrest in Mombasa on Friday evening.