Raila faults Jubilee on insecurity in Baringo

National Super Alliance presidential candidate Raila Odinga has criticised the Jubilee administration for failing to contain insecurity in Baringo County.

Raila said President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto, had failed to ensure peace among the Pokot and the Tugen, leading to deaths and loss of property.

“It is clear the biggest problem in Baringo is insecurity. Many have lost their lives and the Government has failed to ensure peace for the people,” said the NASA principal.

He said his team would fulfil the promises pledged in the NASA manifesto by meeting the needs of the people.

“We will maintain peace and ensure Kenyans live together, the Pokot and Tugen communities must live together as brothers and sisters. If we take power, education starting from pre-unit to secondary school, will be free, as stated in our manifesto,” added Raila.

However, the efforts of Raila and his team to clear Jubilee Party footprints in the county three days after Uhuru and Ruto visited the area suffered a setback when their meeting was disrupted by a group of youth. Raila, who was accompanied by Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi, were in Kabarnet town met by youth chanting songs in support of Jubilee.

The youths tore and burnt placards, T-shirts, and caps labelled with the NASA colours.

Placards bearing the message, ‘Ruto shoot to kill’, were spotted among those attending the rally before Raila and his team arrived.

Some people said the placards, in apparent reference to Deputy President William Ruto, prompted the angry reaction from Jubilee supporters.

Musalia Mudavadi called on residents to ensure peace during the campaign and election.

The NASA co-principal criticised the youth for allowing themselves to be used by politicians to disrupt campaign meetings. He added that the Opposition would continue its campaign in all parts of the country.

“If you want Uhuru to seek votes from other parts of the country, you must show respect. When he goes to Kakamega he needs people to listen to him and you should also listen to us when we come to Baringo. The decision will be made on the election date,” said Mr Mudavadi.

Get jobs

He said if NASA is elected, it will ensure that 12 million unemployed youth get jobs irrespective of their tribe.

Governor Ruto said it was not right for their meeting to be disrupted and that they would send Jubilee home.

“We are here to seek your votes peacefully. You need to know if you bring trouble here we assure you Jubilee must go home,” said Mr Ruto.

He said Kenya “cannot continue being a country of two people” and that the country must change as Kenyans will not live under threats.

“We don’t want violence and we will shame the few people who want to disrupt peace. We must walk everywhere and carry out our campaigns,” added Ruto.

Live under threats

A few residents who talked to The Standard said their reaction was triggered by the actions of Nyanza residents, who heckled Deputy President William Ruto yesterday.

The few ‘Ruto shoot to kill’ placards also annoyed the residents. The placards about Ruto caused a controversy. People were also annoyed after hearing that Uhuru and Ruto were heckled in Kisumu,” said Zuleka Mansur, a resident.