Why Raila skipped Mashujaa Day fete as Kalonzo, Wetangula joined Uhuru

Dennis Tarus

October 20, 2016 4:52 PM

Opposition leader Raila Odinga was a notable absent during the Mashujaa Day celebrations held at Machakos County.

ODM leader Raila Odinga during a past event

Raila in a statement told Kenyans that he was scheduled to address students, scholars, public service officials and political leaders at the London Metropolitan University during the opening session of the London Political Summit 2016.

The Cord leader is scheduled to address the Summit on The Place of Opposition in a Hostile Political Environment.However, Cord Co-Principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula were present at the celebrations held at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos town.

Parallel rally

Earlier there had been unconfirmed reports that the opposition had planned to hold a parallel Mashujaa Day celebration in Makueni County, which the opposition later distanced themselves from.

The three Cord principals are held up in a bitter battle for the coalition’s flag bearer position as they look to unseat President Kenyatta and Jubilee’s grip on power during next year’s general elections.

The ceremony was briefly held up as a several people were injured during a stampede as they attempted to force their way in moments after President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived.

Security agents comprising Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), the Administration Police (APs) as well as officers from the National Youth Service (NYS) had a difficult time controlling a crowd that milled outside the stadium.

Dennis Tarus