The
disruptions and heckling witnessed during President Uhuru Kenyatta's rally in
Kisumu was uncalled for, Kisumu Jubilee leaders have said.
They
asked the residents to be tolerant and to uphold democracy by allowing
politicians to hold peaceful campaigns.
President
Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto were on Wednesday heckled by NASA
supporters as they launched the EABL bottling line in the city.
The
county Jubilee Party chairman Zuberi Lieta said it was unfortunate that such
behaviour could be witnessed during the head of the state's visit.
“If
you are a leader who knows the importance of development within your county,
why would you use youths to cause chaos and disrupt such development events, “
he questioned.
Trouble
started with DP Ruto was openly rejected by the crowd.
The
youths shouted against the DP forcing him to hand over the microphone to the
President.
“Tunataka
Uhuru, hatutaki Ruto, loosely translated to....We want Uhuru, we don’t want
Ruto"”
Kisumu
is an opposition stronghold and the home turf of NASA's flag bearer Raila
Odinga.
President
Uhuru last visited the Lake City where he presided over the 9th Music Festival
Gala early in April.
Lieta
said some of the leaders within the region should desist from using youths to
cause chaos during the launching of development projects that will help the
region.
He
said leaders should be development -oriented whether in government or not.
“We
are happy with the Nyando people who welcomed the President and his deputy in
Ahero because they know how important the road project launched there will
improve their lives, “said Lieta.
He
at the same time cautioned youths against being used after getting as little as
Sh50 to cause chaos and disrupt events.
When
Uhuru finished presiding over the groundbreaking for the Sh1.5 billion Kisumu
Breweries by EABL residents in Raila's backyard shouted NASA slogans.
As
soon as the President finished, part of the crowd surged toward the dais where
they danced and chanted NASA slogans.
The
President and DP quickly departed for the Kenya Pipeline Company depot where
they commissioned the Sinendet-Kisumu pipeline (Line 6) and the Kisumu Oil
Jetty.
Earlier,
Ruto had been jeered at Ahero town in Nyando sub-county where also was forced
to cut short his speech.
Here
as well, residents listened to the President speak.
Uhuru
commissioned the construction of the 84km Ahero-Kisii road, which he said has
claimed many lives in accidents.
The
project is funded by the Africa Development Bank and Kenya.
The
road is designed along with several feeder roads: Oyugis-Kendu Bay (20km),
Oyugis-Rangwe-Rodi Kopany (30km), Misambo-Ekerenyo (15km),
Sondu-Nyabondo/Nyakach (11km), Oyugis-Gamba (7km) and other access and link
roads totalling 25 kilometres.
The
Sh9.4 billion roads will be built by the Third Engineering Bureau of China
Construction Company.
