ODM leader Raila Odinga encountered a hostile reception at Gusii Stadium in Kisii County on Sunday, March 9, as a section of the crowd heckled and jeered him during an event.
Raila was attending the official launch of Shabana FC’s new kits, an event attended by several dignitaries, including Kisii Governor Simba Arati and his Nairobi counterpart Johnson Sakaja.
Following Raila's arrival at the stadium, sections of the crowd chanted 'Raila Must Go' while others staged a walkout as he began addressing the crowd.
Adding to the tension, Raila's comments during a consultative meeting in Kisii on Thursday, March 6, appear to have further inflamed sentiments.
Addressing the crowd at the Kisii Farmers Training Centre, Raila downplayed the presidential prospects of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
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"There’s nothing like a community producing a candidate. Someone running for the presidency of Kenya cannot be elected based on Kisii votes, Luo votes, Luhya votes, or even Mount Kenya votes,” Raila said.
Additionally, the unrest is believed to stem from Raila's recent political alignment with President William Ruto, formalized through the MoU signed on Friday, March 7.
The deal has fueled speculation that Raila may be positioning himself for a role in Ruto’s administration.
However, Raila explained that the move is intended to ease the present political pressure in the country and was not a political coalition.
"Today we have signed an MoU between ODM and UDA. The goal of the MoU is to help ease the prevailing tension in the country, reconcile the population, alleviate suffering, and move the country forward by addressing the critical social, political and economic issues our people are grappling with today.
"We make it clear that the memorandum we have signed today does not define the formation of a political coalition between ODM and UDA. However, its successful implementation could form the basis of steps towards the establishment of a stable country in the future," he said.
