The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Embakasi branch has called for peaceful political engagement ahead of the Linda Mwananchi rally scheduled for tomorrow at Jacaranda Ground.
Led by Embakasi East organising secretary Julius Majimaji, the branch urged political leaders, youths and supporters to embrace tolerance ahead of the rally.
Majimaji said ODM leaders, including secretary heneral Catherine Omanyo, Nairobi chairman George Aladwa and the Embakasi East ODM office led by chairman Thomas Omullo, is committed to peaceful political engagement both this weekend and beyond.
He said the party leadership had authorised him to communicate its position on the planned rally, dismissing claims that ODM members were planning to disrupt the event.
“We have been given authority by ODM leadership, led by secretary general Catherine Omanyo, ODM Nairobi chairman George Aladwa and Embakasi East chairman Thomas Omullo, to communicate this. We want to make it clear that there is no purported violence or planned disruption of the Linda Mwananchi rally tomorrow,” Majimaji said.
He said ODM could not be involved in organising violence against Babu Owino, who is the party's Embakasi East MP, even as he participates in political activities under another political outfit.
“Babu Owino is our ODM MP and we are in the same party, so ODM cannot participate in orchestrating violence against his meeting, even if he is in another political outfit. We believe in one value: peace and democracy, and that is what Raila Odinga taught us,” he said.
Majimaji further called on political supporters to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could undermine peace or disrupt the rally.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino is expected to lead the Linda Mwananchi brigade during the event, which has attracted significant political attention.
Owino has also extended an invitation to political and non-political guests, urging them to attend the rally and share their views.
“All guests are welcome, whether political or not. Come share your ideas and minds. We shall also have our day, and we shall let Mwananchi decide,” Owino said.
Earlier, Babu Owino had expressed concern over possible attempts by political opponents to disrupt the Jacaranda rally. He warned individuals he described as goons against interfering with the event and urged them to allow the gathering to proceed peacefully.
