Supporters of Senator Moses Wetang'ula Monday took to the streets to protest against plans to de-register him over alleged voter bribery in the 2013 elections.
Led by Bungoma County Assembly Majority Leader Majimbo Okumu, they asked Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) not to strike the name of the Ford Kenya party leader off the voters' roll which would effectively lead to his removal from Parliament.
The protesters accused Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro of attempting to humiliate Mr Wetang'ula.
"Wetang'ula is our only hope and we will not allow the Jubilee administration to take him in circles. They should allow Opposition leaders to work and defend the citizenry," Mr Okumu said.
Routine meeting
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The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) has accused the ruling coalition of being behind the move to kick out Wetang'ula and weaken the Opposition. The gazetting of voter bribery findings by Mr Ethuro puts Wetang'ula's future in a precarious situation and there are fears he might be locked out of future elections.
This will, however, be determined by IEBC who are set to meet later this week. But the electoral agency denied claims that it will be meeting to discuss Wetang'ula's fate, saying the meeting is just routine.
IEBC Communication Officer Tabitha Mutemi said commissioners and the secretariat hold regular meetings with set agenda and Wetang'ula's issue was not scheduled.
"Sometimes there are special meetings when needed. I am not aware of scheduled meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) to discuss the issue of Senator Wetang'ula," Ms Mutemi said.
However, she said the commission is set to hold a preliminary meeting on Thursday in which the issue of the Senate minority leader may feature but she maintained that the commission would brief the media on such a matter.
In Bungoma town, Ford Kenya Youth Leader Wafula Wakoli said that the decision by Ethuro was a clear indication that he was under pressure from the Jubilee government to humiliate the vocal Opposition leader.
"We are seeing the Jubilee leaders hand in the push to see the Ford Kenya party leader out of the race. Let them leave alone leaders who criticise them so that they are able to realise their mistakes, instead of intimidating them," he said. Mr Wakoli noted that the Government was planning to scuttle the Opposition ahead of the next General Election so that they could have an easy ride back.
"We are watching as things unfold. The Government should stop intimidating Opposition leaders, Kenyans are watching and they can elect them on sympathy votes, leave Opposition leaders alone," said Wakoli.
Simiyu Mutaki said that Jubilee was determined to see Wetang'ula end up in political oblivion and to turn Western region into beggars.
Ethnic marginalisation
"Jubilee government, leave Wetang'ula alone. The Government was formed on a foundation of deceit, propaganda, election rigging, financial fraud and ethnic marginalisation. The economy is now on its knees as tribalism hits its peak yet they are on our senator," said Mr Mutaki.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said the Opposition will move to court to seek an injunction to stop IEBC from de-registering the senator. The Supreme Court ruled that Wetang'ula committed an election offence of "bribery" in 2013.
