A group that identified itself as the GEMA Nairobi Business
Community has caused tension and fear among NASA leaders ahead of their planned
demonstrations against the IEBC.
On Monday when journalists received an invite to cover a
press conference by the Nairobi Business Community, they were surprised that
far from the dark fitting suits that are typical on such occasions, there were
rough-faced and rugged men in unattended beards and loose dreadlocks - all
ready for the press conference.
There was more to come. After identifying themselves as a “business
community”, the group’s spokesman announced a short prayer.
All those who had accompanied him turned in the direction of
Mt Kenya and chanted a kikuyu prayer “thai thathaiya ngai (praise be to God)”
and repeated it seven times.
Their press statement further confounded the press given
that they did not attempt to show neutrality as is common among professional
groups.
The group castigated the Opposition over its demands ahead
of the repeat presidential election and warned that they would join the NASA
demonstrations to “protect their business”.
The photo of the dreadlocked and mean-faced men went viral
on social media with many of the Opposition supporters worrying that the
businessmen were members of an outlawed group.
On Tuesday, ODM Chairman John Mbadi addressed the issue of
the controversial community, claiming that they were members of Mungiki who had
been hired and armed by Jubilee MPs to cause harm to NASA leaders.
The dreadlocked gentlemen were later spotted at the
Anniversary Towers as soon as NASA demonstrations started gathering.
The tension culminated in many of the NASA leaders,
including former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, skipping the much hyped protests.
“They withdrew my security so that I could go to the
demonstrations exposed. But the general does not have to go war all the time,”
Odinga stated.
Here is a video of the group:
