Gusii politicians condemn heckling of ODM leader Raila Odinga

A section of Gusii leaders from Nyamira and Nairobi counties have condemned the weekend heckling of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at the Gusii Stadium.

Led by Nairobi County Assembly Majority Whip Moses Ogeto, the leaders urged their community to remain steadfast with the ODM party.

The, who included former Nyamira Senator Mong’are Okong’o, added that they support the broad-based government.

“As Gusii leaders, we condemn in the strongest terms possible the recent happenings at Gusii Stadium. We want to make it clear that it was unfortunate that it happened, and we apologize on behalf of the few people who wanted to shame us,” Ogeto, who is the Kilimani Member of County Assembly, stated.

“The Gusii community supports Raila and the broad-based government, and we urge our community to remain steadfast behind the ODM party and its ideals,” he added.

Nyamira County Assembly Majority Leader George Abuga said it was an honour for the ODM leader to grace the unveiling of Shabana’s new kit, hence the heckling was disrespectful and should be condemned by all means.

“Raila did an honour by paying courtesy to Shabana FC at Gusii. We have respect for the party leader and we urge our community to continue supporting and following him,” Abuga stated.

The leaders accused a section of leaders that support former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i’s bid for presidency of being behind the heckling.

Okong’o affirmed that they would be supporting the candidate that will be fronted by Raila, adding that the presidency is not about their community but someone with a national stature.

Their statement comes hours after Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka dismissed claims of having organised the heckling against Raila as he was away for work in Mombasa.

The Kisii legislator stated that Shabana fans have always turned out in huge numbers without influence from anyone, adding that someone can’t mobilize and pay more than 15,000 people.

“It is unreasonably absurd for someone to imagine that an individual can mobilize/pay more than 15,000 passionate football fans to attend a football match, something they have always done relentlessly before without any iota of influence from anyone. Shabana fans are known worldwide for giving unequivocal support to their team. It is an insult to them for anyone to purport that they get paid to attend matches,” Onyonka said.

While terming the events as regrettable, he warned that the heckling should be awake up call to political players to assess the growing resistance of the ODM leader in Kisii and its environments.

“The events that happened in Kisii this afternoon are regrettable. Nevertheless, this should serve as a wake-up call to the concerned players to scrutinize and know why the people are/were resisting Baba Raila Odinga in Kisii,” he said.

The senator called for political tolerance as he urged Kisii residents to embrace peace in the future.

“I discourage political intolerance and call upon our people to act with restraint and soberness in the future because violence and chaos have never been my cup of tea for the more than two decades that I have actively participated in politics. My constituents can attest to this,” Onyonka stated.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga encountered a hostile reception at the Gusii stadium over the weekend as the huge crowd heckled and jeered him.

When he arrived at the stadium, the fans cheered, “Ruto must go,” as others walked out when he began to address the crowd.