Opposition leader’s rally disrupted by rowdy youth in Mombasa

dennis kibet

January 26, 2017 11:32 AM

The security team had a hard time trying to restrain the unruly youth who kept surging towards the main dais where Raila was giving his speech as they heckled.

From left: ODM leaders Hassan Joho, Party leader Raila Odinga and Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi address party supporters at Changamwe Grounds in Mombasa on January 25, 2017.

Cord leader Raila Odinga was forced to cut short his speech several times after rowdy youth interrupted his speech at the Changamwe Volleyball grounds in Mombasa.

A visibly angry Raila whose calls for calm fell on deaf ears, at one time warned the youths that they would be forcibly ejected from the venue.

“If you came here for the meeting then keep quiet. If you came here to cause chaos, you will be ejected! Keep quiet! Young men keep quiet because I have come here with a very serious message,” Raila was heard saying.

He ordered the youth to put down placards and banners they were waving including some which were bearing his portrait but the crowd persisted.

Governor intervention

It took the intervention of Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho to quell the disruptive crowd.

Joho had to take the microphone from Raila and instructed the crowd to be peaceful and let Raila address them.

"We understand there are so many people looking for elective seats, but today's meeting is solely for our party leader," Joho said.

The ODM leader later managed to address the rally where he urged residents to register as voters.

Earlier this week, Deputy President William Ruto and his entourage had to change route after encountering irate youth during his voter registration sensitisation tour of the Western region.

The youth had blocked the main bus terminus in Bungoma town as they chanted opposition slogans and set alight Jubilee branded materials.

Similar incidents have played out in recent weeks where crowds in Narok and Baringo counties have turned hostile towards the deputy president as they lamented on unfilled election promises pledged by the Jubilee administration in their respective regions.

dennis kibet