Cord leader, Raila Odinga left a meeting today in a huff after chaos erupted.
Raila's vehicle smashed by mumias residents following a scuffle between Oparanya and Washiali
Cord leader, Raila Odinga leaves meeting in a huff after chaos erupts.
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Raila unceremoniously left Shibale shopping centre, Mumias, Kakamega county after chaos erupted over who could address the people.
Raila had gone to console people allegedly harassed by GSU officers, accompanied by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and MCAs Rocky Omwendo (Mumias North) and Libinus Oduor (Mayoni).
He was however forced to take off after the crowd turned violent accusing them of neglecting the victims.
A witness said the incident which turned ugly and left the window of Raila's vehicle shattered, began when he sent the two ward representatives to check if they could address residents.
"The MCAs (after being given the go-ahead) went and called Raila and Oparanya. They came and stood where Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali was standing in readiness to give speeches," the resident said as quoted by the Star.
But Washiali refused to give Oparanya the microphone.
The witness said the MCAs stayed put and demanded the microphone insisting that they wanted to welcome Oparanya.
"Washiali became hesitant. Then Omwendo started pushing him to grab the microphone. The two MCAs were beaten by Washiali's supporters forcing them to flee," he said.
All this time Raila and Oparanya stood watching as the events unfolded.
The crowd later on returned to be addressed by Raila and Oparanya who were still at the podium.
former ODM national youth leader, Rashid Mohammed asked the Governor why he had neglected the people despite their many votes he got from the Wanga community.
“Why should it take you two days to move from Kakamega to Mumias, a distance of less than 30km, yet your people were oppressed by security agents?” he asked.
Washiali and Oparanya reportedly started pushing each other before the latter took the microphone and tried to address the people, But he was booed.
Washiali asked why ODM leaders were fighting over the fall of Mumias Sugar Company, and seemingly pushing for Mumias residents to continue wallowing in poverty.
“Why hasn’t Raila come here with (Nairobi Governor Evans) Kidero to say 'sorry' to the people of Mumias? Why did Oparanya give Sh200 million to a businessman in the name of a grant for Mumias Sugar Company?” he also asked.
“But 2017 is not far. We shall tell these people what your intentions are for them."
The MP further accused Oparanya of double-speak and taking the people for a ride.
It was at this point that Raila left in a huff to his damaged vehicle and left without addressing the people.
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