Nasa leader Raila Odinga seats next to National Police Service Commission chairman Johnston Kavuludi during Madaraka Day celebrations at Kabiruini grounds in Nyeri county on June 1[nation.co.ke].Nasa presidential candidate Raila Odinga’s tour of Nyeri County on Friday has been cancelled and a new itinerary issued out by his handlers.
Odinga was scheduled to be in Nyeri and Laikipia counties to campaign for his presidential bid and later on Saturday be in Kiambu and Thika towns for political rallies.
He has instead opted to tour Meru on Friday and later Tharaka Nithi on Saturday. So, what could have led Raila to make this sudden about-turn?
First, it could have been as a result of the humiliation he received from Jubilee government when he visited the county for Madaraka Day celebrations. He was snubbed and denied an opportunity to address the nation and even his presence was not acknowledged. The memories of this incidence may have kept him off.
Secondly, the cancellation may have been informed by fears that he would receive a cold reception. Nyeri being a Jubilee stronghold, Raila may have felt that his presence in the county would be unwelcomed.
The Nasa flagbearer could also have feared occurrence of an incident similar to that of 2007 where a woman hotelier evicted him from her hotel, Karatina Forest Lodge. During the incidence where Raila was accompanied by Reuben Ndolo, Mumbi Ngaru and Joseph Nyaga, the woman stormed the dining room of the hotel shouting and screaming.
“Who brought you here? We do not want ODM here. Can you please leave now? We do not want your money,” Shouted the woman and the Opposition leader was hurriedly whisked out of the premises.
Finally, Raila may have opted for Meru over Nyeri for the warm reception and welcome he is accorded there. He enjoys huge crowds in Meru and his ODM party even managed to get two parliamentary seats in the county in 2013 General election.