Stage set for Raila return rally

Kenya: The stage has been set for one of the most significant political events since last year’s General Election, with CORD leaders throbbing up their criticism of the Jubilee coalition ahead of today’s arrival of their leader Raila Odinga.

Yesterday, the leaders ratcheted up their criticism of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee coalition and declared Raila’s return marks the beginning of the battle for 2017 elections.

But speaking at the burial of Gatundu South MP Joseph Ngugi Nyumu that was also attended by the president, leaders allied to Jubilee asked CORD not to plunge the nation into a long spell of heated politics and wait until 2017.

The CORD leaders spoke at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, the venue of today’s welcome rally, where a huge crowd of supporters turned up for an impromptu address.

The opposition team, led by Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, toured Uhuru Park, where they declared that today marks the beginning of a series of onslaughts against the government.

The CORD leaders accused President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto of presiding over a government that is riddled with mega sleaze, ethnic bias and insecurity.

“We want to tell them that tomorrow (Saturday) we shall launch a programme of action. We shall not sleep until this country is freed,” Kalonzo said.

Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula said ethnicity had taken root during Uhuru and Ruto’s days in office.

“You cannot stand and tell people that our biggest enemy is tribalism and from there you go and preside over an executive that is shared between two communities,” said Mr Wetang’ula.

He went on: “You cannot say that there is no corruption and you preside over corruption everyday. You cannot say that you support devolution but what you do is a complete antithesis of devolution, you cannot say that there is no tribalism and you practice exclusion.”

President Kenyatta’s administration has been criticised, especially for the controversial payment of Sh1.4 billion to two firms, reawakening debate on the Anglo Leasing scandal. The government has been accused of failing to stem runaway corruption, as well as insecurity in the wake of terror attacks blamed on Somalia’s al Shabaab militants.

Close to 20 lawmakers allied to the three affiliate CORD parties — ODM, Wiper and Ford Kenya — toured the venue for today’s rally. Among them was Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo, Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa, Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama, Siaya Senator James Orengo, Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale and Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi.

Healing the nation

 Others were nominated MP Oburu Oginga, Women Representative Gladys Wanga and Nairobi Deputy Governor Jonathan Mweke.

Dr Khalwale insisted that Kenyatta and Ruto had failed to address issues facing the nation. “You know that when we went to the polls last year, I was in a different team and when you see me here, you know the ground has shifted. I am calling upon all supporters of UDF to attend this rally tomorrow,” he said. However, Raila, in a statement issued by his press secretary Dennis Onyango, asked his supporters to maintain peace and keep away from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as he arrives in the country today.

He asked those attending his homecoming celebrations to avoid the airport due to the current security and logistical challenges.

Raila is expected to arrive at about 2.30pm in a flight from Dubai, where he made a stop-over from the US, where he has been since early March.

In particular, Raila asked CORD leaders attending the rally to take it upon themselves to be responsible for healing the nation.

 “The ODM/CORD coalition leader is appealing to supporters preparing to welcome him on Saturday to exercise restraint and remain peaceful and civil before, during and after the rally at Uhuru Park,” the statement read.

 The statement came in the backdrop of a week of political tensions, following a ban on all political rallies by Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo. There were fears the ban, which was met with protests by CORD leaders, would have led to ugly confrontations. However, Kimaiyo lifted the ban on Wednesday.

 Jubilee leaders had also indicated they would hold a parallel rally, raising the prospect of further animosity. They have since announced they would not hold the rally.

Officials said Raila would address the media for about 15 minutes upon arrival. He is then expected to be driven to Uhuru Park via Mombasa Road.

Raila said it was important that supporters uphold peace and respect the rights of others in the city who will not be attending the rally. He also asked police to be civil and professional in handling the event while also appealing to his supporters to work with the security agencies.

But ahead of the meeting, there was a bomb scare at Uhuru Park after the public raised alarm over an unattended suitcase, which was later found to be harmless.

 – Additional reporting by Cyrus Ombati