Leaders ferry supporters to Uhuru Park

Kenya: Thousands of CORD supporters arrived in Nairobi yesterday for the homecoming party for Raila Odinga, while others are expected today.

In Mombasa, ODM sub-branch chairman Mohamed Hatimy said a delegation of 705 party supporters were ferried to Nairobi to welcome the former Prime Minister.

“We have hired 15 buses and all members that want to travel to Nairobi will be offered free transport,” said Hatimy yesterday morning.

Other supporters, however, opted to drive to Nairobi to attend the welcoming rally at Uhuru Park.

“I’m driving to Nairobi to welcome my party leader. As a staunch supporter of the former PM, I want to show solidarity with his leadership,” said Lucy Momanyi, a Mombasa lawyer.

CORD Chief Whip, Gideon Mung’aro, however, said the coalition had no plans to transport supporters to Nairobi adding that any arrangements for the same were individual plans.

Mombasa County Speaker Thaddeus Rajwaye, said several county members would travel to Nairobi adding that Raila’s return will rejuvenate the opposition.

In Kisumu, leaders hired buses and matatus to ferry the people to Nairobi. Siaya County Governor Cornel Rasanga is leading a delegation of 300 supporters from Raila’s home county. He has hired five buses.

Kisumu County Government is sending 40 Members of County Assembly, while Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura is also leading a delegation of 600 ODM supporters to Nairobi.

Nyatike MP Edick Anyanga hired two buses and 12 vehicles to go carry about 400 ODM supporters from Migori County to Nairobi.

In Kisii, area Senator Chris Obure hired two buses belonging to Nyamira and Otange and a school bus to ferry 300 supporters. ODM chairman in Homabay County hired two buses to carry 120 people to Nairobi but more than 2,000 Homabay ODM supporters travelled to Nairobi individually to welcome Raila.

ODM Chairman in Uasin Gishu David Songok revealed that members gathered in Eldoret to travel together to Nairobi. Kakamega county ODM party chairman David Malala, said they have sent 400 delegates to attend the rally.

However, former National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende said he is still on his two month sabbatical leave from politics, hence he will not attend the event.