CORD co-principal Moses Wetang’ula went on to launch his presidential bid in Kakamega yesterday, ignoring a 20-minute disruption after a teargas canister was hurled at the main dais.
Conspicuously missing at the event held at Muliro Gardens was CORD leader Raila Odinga and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.
Wetang’ula and his CORD co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka said Raila had told them he would be late for the meeting.
All was well until Wetang’ula was about to give an acceptance speech after being installed a Luhya elder. A teargas canister was hurled at the dais, forcing dozens of dignitaries to flee to safety.
Wetang’ula was whisked away while dressed in an elder’s regalia, but he returned shortly thereafter unbowed. He climbed the dais, wiped away tears with a water soaked handkerchief and proceeded to address his supporters.
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A tear gas canister was hurled at the main dais minutes after Mr Wetang’ula, the Ford-Kenya leader, and Kalonzo arrived.
It appears that the tensions began to escalate when Ford-Kenya and ODM youths clad in green T-shirts and orange shirts began to fight hours after the two groups had roamed the town, taunting each other.
Hallowed ground
Immediately after the fourth tear gas canister was hurled, a crowd descended on two suspects with kicks and punches.
Wetang’ula made his way back to the podium and addressed the crowd after the tensions had eased.
“In this hallowed ground of Masinde Muliro, I wish to declare my candidature as president of the republic and invite you to join me to fulfill the dream of the great opposition doyen in whose honour this ground was named,” he declared to the thousands who thronged the park for the rally. “I stand before you as an agent of change that will make sense to everyone.”
The Ford-Kenya leader made an 11-point guide he said will steer the country to a fast growing middle class economy. Some of the areas he pledged to address as president are security, infrastructure, health, cost of living and unemployment.
“I will spearhead reforms that will prioritise public interest in the management and use of government land,” he said on the land issue.
Wetang’ula promised that his government “will not be a man-eat-man society” but a regime built on respect for the rule of law.
“Today, I give my promise that my government will reflect the true face of Kenya and will have a seat for every Kenyan regardless of ethic extraction, gender or religious creed,” he pledged.
He promised to boost the country’s national security to ensure the safety of Kenyans and their investments, and promised to reactivate industries and grow businesses targeting the youth.
The Bungoma senator took a swipe at the Kakamega County Government, which was opposed to the rally being held at the Muliro Gardens.
“I randomly chose Kakamega just like I would have selected Lodwar, Mandera, Garissa or any other town,” he said.
The Bungoma senator, who is also the Leader of Minority at the Senate, blamed the teargas on agents against “an idea whose time had come”.
Kalonzo described the teargas incident as a blessing in disguise which could only challenge the opposition to fight retrogressive forces.
“I want to tell Jubilee, who I know threw the teargas to disrupt the rally, that I have never seen a big and peaceful crowd like the one standing unbowed at Muliro Gardens today,” he said.
First aid
Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero attended the event but did not return after the teargas incident. Nominated Senator Janet Ong’era, who spoke on behalf of ODM, said the party would support any presidential candidate nominated by CORD.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, a doctor by profession, had to perform first aid to a bleeding man before he was rushed to hospital. He then took over as host and moderator of the rally.
