Raila Breaks Silence on Chaos That Marred Ruto’s Kisumu Rally

ODM leader Raila Odinga has weighed in on the violence that erupted during Deputy President William Ruto’s political rally in Kondele, Kisumu County on Wednesday.

Odinga distanced himself and the ODM party from the chaos, stating that the deputy president is a Kenyan and has a right to tour any part of the country to sell his agenda. 

“Mimi sitaki kuingia kwa mambo ya porojo, labda niongee kwa mambo ya ukweli, Ruto ni Mkenya na anaruhusiwa kutembea popote kuuza sera zake,” Raila said during an interview with Musyi FM on Thursday. 

He added that prior to Ruto’s visit to the lakeside city, ODM Kisumu branch issued a statement welcoming him to drum up support for his presidential bid.

“Chama chetu, ile Kisumu branch ilitoa taarifa ikasema aruhusiwe Ruto auze sera zake kama mtu yeyote, kusiwe na vurugu yoyote,” Odinga stated.

“Mimi sio mtoto mdogo niende kuorganize watu warushie Ruto mawe, kwa sababu gani? Yeye anaweza kwenda Kisumu kila mahali vile anavyo tanga tanga kila mahali.”

Ruto was forced to cut short his speech at Kondele as rowdy youth pelted his campaign caravan with stones, damaging at least seven vehicles.

While police said the violence was caused by a clash between two local groups that were fighting for cash handouts, Ruto insisted that his political rivals funded the chaos.

“Let us respect each other because Kenya belongs to all of us. I am telling those who have sponsored youths to stone other leaders: shame on you! We must get rid of the leaders who hire young people to throw stones.”

“I am asking my friend, the leader of ODM, please, let us not use our children to throw stones and cause violence. These young people deserve jobs,” said Ruto.