Chaos in Garissa/STEPHEN ASTARIKO
A political rally organised by the opposition alliance in Garissa town was disrupted on Saturday after a group of youths reportedly hurled stones at leaders and their supporters, forcing several politicians to take cover in their vehicles.
The incident occurred as Nyali MP Mohamed Ali addressed supporters alongside Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
The youths, estimated to be about 50 and operating in different groups, reportedly suddenly began pelting the gathering with stones, sending the rally into confusion as leaders and their supporters scrambled for safety.
Several vehicles were damaged in the chaos, including the vehicle belonging to Democratic Party leader and former Attorney General Justin Muturi, whose windscreen was reported to have been partly destroyed.
The situation returned to normal after the security detail attached to the opposition leaders moved in and chased the youths away.
The rally brought together senior opposition figures, including Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, DP party leader Justin Muturi, Kathiani MP Robert Mbui, Embakasi South MP Julius Mawathe and Mohamed Ali, alongside several political aspirants and local supporters.
After calm was restored, a visibly angry Mohamed Ali returned to the podium and condemned what he described as the use of unemployed young people by politicians to advance their political interests.
Ali warned Kenyans against allowing politicians to exploit economic frustrations among the youth for political purposes, saying the opposition would seek to end such practices if elected to power.
“It is unfortunate that leaders, instead of creating jobs for our youth, are using them to cause chaos. This is what we are against, and we will not allow such things to happen when we form government,” Ali said.
He said any Kenyan has every right to campaign for any party in the country, noting that the ultimate decision lies with Kenyans on the people they want to lead them.
Kalonzo, in a bid to calm the situation, urged residents to maintain peace and resist attempts by politicians to use them to advance personal political interests.
The Wiper leader emphasised the longstanding relationship between the Somali and Kamba communities, urging residents to protect the ties between the two communities before, during and after the 2027 elections.
“We have an agenda. One of them is that once we take over power, we will not allow our youth to be used by selfish politicians to advance their interests. Each and everyone will be allowed to express whatever he or she wants to say, whether one term or two terms,” Kalonzo said.
He said political differences should not be allowed to destroy the peaceful coexistence that has existed between the Somali and Kamba communities for decades.
“We have been good neighbours for decades, and that relationship must remain the same before, during and after the elections,” he added.
Muturi described the incident as an attempted assassination targeting members of the opposition alliance.
“This is a clear attempted assassination on the lives of the leaders of the United Alternative Government. It should be condemned by all peace-loving Kenyans and law-abiding citizens,” Muturi said.
The former Attorney General maintained that political disagreements should be addressed through constitutional and democratic means rather than violence.
“If you have any opinion, our Constitution guarantees you the right to say whatever you want to say and associate with any Kenyan,” he said.Wiper Patriotic Front party leader Kalonzo Musyoka addressing residents of Garissa town. /STEPHEN ASTARIKONyali MP Mohamed Ali speaking ./ STEPHEN ASTARIKODP party leader Justine Muturi speaking./STEPHEN ASTARIKODAP-Kenya party leader Eugene Wamalwa, residents of Garissa town. /STEPHEN ASTARIKOOpposition supporters at the rally in Garissa town./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
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