President Uhuru Kenyatta shares a light moment with Migori Governor Okoth Obado during his visit to Sony Sugar Company in Migori County yesterday. PHOTO | PSCU
What you need to know:
Commotion then ensued as youths threw plastic chairs across the field that was teeming with people. Shoes were also hurled towards the dais although it remains unclear who the target was.
The chaos that marred President Uhuru Kenyatta’s public meeting in Migori Town yesterday rekindled memories of the October 1969 Kisumu riots as rock-throwing mobs forced his father Jomo Kenyatta to cut short his tour of then Nyanza Province.
It also eclipsed the launch of a nationwide anti-malarial drive and the unveiling of a Sh1.1 billion fund to clear all debts owed to sugarcane farmers.
While Jomo had gone to open the Kisumu “Russian” Hospital (Now Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referal Hospital) three months after the assassination of Tom Mboya President Kenyatta was in Migori to launch a nationwide anti-malarial drive and also initiate the Sugar Fund.
Unlike in 1969, when youths chanting Kenya People’s Union slogans forced the late President Kenyatta to cut short his speech after a bitter exchange with his former Vice-President Oginga Odinga, the ODM chanting youths were this time incensed by their Governor Okoth Obado, a member of the People’s Democratic Party, who is thought to lean towards Jubilee government.
The fracas started after Mr Obado moved to the microphone to address the gathering to welcome political leaders.
Commotion then ensued as youths threw plastic chairs across the field that was teeming with people. Shoes were also hurled towards the dais although it remains unclear who the target was.
Alarmed presidential security guards immediately threw a cordon around the tent where Mr Kenyatta and other dignitaries were sitting. The President remained calm.
A section of the crowd, especially women and children then took their heels as armed police officers cocked their guns. No shots were fired unlike in 1969 when tens of people were shot dead.
However, scores of people sustained minor injuries after they were trampled at the main exit gate as they rushed to get out of the Migori Primary School grounds, the venue of the meeting.
The President unsuccessfully pleaded for the leaders present to be allowed to speak to no avail.
“Can we give them one minute each to speak before I continue?” asked the Head of State. But the crowd roared back in the negative, as they continued chanting ODM slogans.
Protest
The leaders present included Kisumu governor Jack Ranguma, senators Charles Keter (Kericho), Joy Gwendo (nominated) and Wilfred Machage (Migori). Also present were MPs John Kobado (Uriri), Shadrack Manga (Kuria East), Mathias Robi (Kuria West), Edick Anyanga (Nyatike), Joseph Ndiege (Suna West), Gedion Konchella (Kilgoris) and Jimmy Angwenyi (Kitutu Chache North).
Mr Angwenyi then walked out of the stadium in protest and headed straight to his car saying: “These guys cannot embarrass the President like this as I watch.”
Earlier, efforts by Mr Anyanga and Dr Machage to calm the crowd fell on deaf ears. As the jeers continued, the angry-looking President walked to the microphone to start his address. “We have listened, can you now keep quiet so that we proceed,” he said.
Mr Kenyatta was in Migori to launch an anti-malaria campaign, which was attended by dignitaries from the global fund and various embassies in the country. Earlier, he held a fruitful meeting with farmers at Sony Guest House in Awendo where he gave a cheque for Sh447 million to clear farmers’ cane delivery arrears.
The more than 30,000 cane farmers contracted by the Awendo-based miller are owed Sh540 million dating back to January this year. Mr Kenyatta directed that the miller pays the remaining balance of Sh93 million.
“You should place farmers’ pay on top of your priorities…we will not be bailing you out all the time and yet you are in business,” he said amidst cheers from the excited growers.
Mr Kenyatta said Chemelil and Muhoroni sugar factories had been given a total of Sh1.1 billion to pay farmers arrears, but cautioned the management of the millers against diverting the cash to other priorities.
“Make sure the cash is only paid to farmers. We will closely monitor the progress of the payments in the coming weeks.”
The Head of State and Mr Obado addressed successful roadside meetings in Awendo and Uriri towns where crowds blocked their convoy of more than 100 vehicles. Mr Kenyatta said he was ready to work with all leaders irrespective of political divisions or tribal affiliations to fast-track socio-economic development in the country.
