Politics dominate Mashujaa Day celebrations countrywide

Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka (left) addresses Kenyans during Mashujaa Day Celebrations on October 20, 2016 at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos as Deputy President William Ruto looks on. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala condemned violence between supporters of Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and Nyali MP Hezron Awiti that disrupted Mashujaa Day celebrations in Mombasa.
  • Mandera Governor Ali Roba told off National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale for saying Jubilee government will only support leaders from the county endorsed by elders.
  • Migori County, Governor Okoth Obado accused the national government of "killing" devolution instead of promoting it to ensure uniform development across the country.

The country was on Thursday treated to early political campaigns during this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations, with politicians making strong bids ahead of the 2017 polls.

Kenya’s heroes and heroines were mentioned and heaped with praises by speakers from the President to county commissioners as they addressed citizens.

In Machakos County, where the national celebrations led by President Uhuru Kenyatta were held at Kenyatta Stadium, former vice president who is also Wiper Party leader told politicians who have rebelled against his party to leave.

Mr Musyoka told President Kenyatta that he had given him all the rebels and that they should all prepare to be defeated in the next elections.

Deputy President William Ruto, in a rejoinder, told Mr Musyoka together with his opposition co-principals to put their house in order first before spoiling for a battle with Jubilee.

A Girl guide salutes as she marches past the presidential dais during Mashujaa day celebrations at Kenyatta stadium in Machakos County on October 20, 2016. The fete was presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

PARALLEL EVENTS

The political heat was too much in Kisumu with Governor Jack Ranguma and his Deputy Ruth Odinga resorting to attend parallel events.

Mr Ranguma joined locals at the Jomo Kenyatta Sports ground while Ms Odinga was at Ojola grounds.

The two leaders have locked horns over the management of the County while Ms Odinga has declared interest in unseating her boss in the 2017 elections.

VIOLENT SUPPORTERS

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala condemned violence between supporters of Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and Nyali MP Hezron Awiti that disrupted Mashujaa Day celebrations in Mombasa.

This comes just three days after a group of youth disrupted Mr Awiti’s rally at Maweni Secondary School on Sunday by heckling and throwing objects at the dais.

“It’s so sad for supporters of our leaders to clash in public and disrupt a public holiday when we are supposed to be honouring our heroes,” said Mr Balala in reaction to the violence that erupted at Tononoka grounds.

Supporters of Mr Awiti joined Warembo na Uhuru, a women lobby formed to campaign for President Kenyatta’s re-election, to challenge members of another group, Joho Queens, who were on the opposite side.

“We cannot tolerate leaders who perpetuate hooliganism and violence. Mombasa and Coast are well known worldwide for peace, kindness and civilization. Leaders should not destroy this image and culture,” he said.

Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma joins African Genre Shield Dancers in a jig during Mashujaa Day Celebrations in Kisumu on October 20, 2016. PHOTO | TONNY OMONDI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

CHAOS

Hired youths in Isiolo, carrying placards and photographs of their preferred candidates caused mayhem during the celebrations held at Isiolo Stadium.

Incumbent Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), MPs and new aspirants are said to have hired crowds to heckle their opponents to disrupt the event but were stopped from causing chaos.

Police officers and National Youth Service (NYS) had a difficult time to control the rowdy youths.

Isiolo North MP Joseph Samal, County Commissioner George Natembeya, Woman Representative Tiyah Galgalo, Isiolo Governor’s wife Madina Doyo, Assembly Speaker Mohammed Tubi and County Secretary Ibrahim Wako graced the event.

Mr Natembeya cautioned politicians who incite locals for their political gain that they will be arrested and prosecuted.

Governor Godana Doyo celebrated the event in Merti.

Mandera Deputy Governor Omar Mohamed Maalim, and Governor Ali Roba and his wife Hodhan follow proceedings during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Mandera Moi Stadium on October 20, 2016. PHOTO | KENNEDY KIMANTHI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

NEGOTIATED DEMOCRACY

Mandera Governor Ali Roba told off National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale for saying Jubilee government will only support leaders from the county endorsed by elders.

Mr Roba who spoke at Mandera Moi Stadium, said the contradictory tone that Mr Duale took on the political issue in Mandera was of great concern.

Garre elders have asked incumbent leaders including Governor Roba to step down in favour of their own proposed new leaders to contest in 2017 elections.

Majority of local leaders including MCAs gave the event a wide berth. All MPs also skipped the event.

While in Mandera on October 15, Mr Duale said Jubilee Party will work with the council of elders in deciding the political fate of the larger Somali community in northern Kenya.

The Garre council of elders has endorsed Devolution ministry official Hassan Noor Hassan to vie for Mandera governor.

It has also named its preferred candidates for 23 others seats.

Lamu County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri (in uniform), Governor Issa Timamy, his deputy Governor, Eric Mugo and Lamu Woman Rep Shakila Abdalla during the Mashujaa Day event at Mkunguni Square in Lamu Town on Thursday October 20th, 2016. PHOTO | KALUME KAZUNGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

DRUG USE

The issue of drug use and abuse dominated celebrations held at Mkunguni Square in Lamu County with speakers condemning the vice and urging the youths abandon it.

Locals who attended the event were, however, treated to drama when County Commissioner Mr Joseph Kanyiri differed with area Woman Representative Ms Shakila Abdalla over the menace.

Ms Shakila had accused the County Commissioner of laxity in dealing with the issue saying that security agencies in the area were colluding with drug smugglers and shielding them from being arrested.

However, Mr Kanyiri dismissed the allegations and accused the politician of seeking for political mileage from the issue.

He defended his officers from the accusations while cautioning politicians from politicizing the issue as they seek for votes.

“As security officers, we have done our efforts to ensure the drug menace is eliminated in Lamu. As we speak, more than 90 drug dealers and users have already been arrested and cases are ongoing in court,” said Mr Kanyiri.

Governor Issa Timamy said the county was in the process of establishing a rehabilitation centre for drug users at Hindi.

Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti County joins a group of dancers during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Embu University grounds. Governor Wambora also led similar celebrations at Kairuri market, about 10 kilometres away. PHOTO | CHARLES WANYORO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

KILLING DEVOLUTION

Elsewhere in Migori County, Governor Okoth Obado accused the national government of "killing" devolution instead of promoting it to ensure uniform development across the country.

Mr Obado said the planned amendments to the Lands Act negates the role of county governments in land management matters, a function he noted, is bestowed to them by the Constitution.

The county boss said some of the Miscellaneous (Amendment) Bills have been used to make extensive changes to existing laws that frustrated the devolved system of governance.

Mr Obado also said there will be interference in the health and roads sector saying that the Jubilee administration was keen on centralizing the sectors.

LEADERS CLASH

Gichugu Member of Parliament Njogu Barua and a director of Tana Water Services Board Mureithi Kang'ara clashed over Jubilee Party grassroots elections.

The two leaders differed publicly at Kianyaga Stadium in Kirinyaga County during Mashujaa Day celebrations which attracted hundreds of residents across the region.

It all started when Mr Kang'ara rose up to address the gathering and declared that the polls which saw him elected the local Jubilee Party chairman were free and fair.

He lined up the party officials who he said were elected by Jubilee delegates from all the four constituencies.

"We were all elected by delegates and Mr Barua should stop complaining," he said.

Mr Barua disagreed with Mr Kang'ara that the polls were conducted in a transparent manner.

"All Jubilee supporters were not involved in the Party elections in the region. We do not want tricks which can divide the people," he said.

Mr Barua claimed that majority of Jubilee supporters were not satisfied with the way the polls were conducted and called for nullification of the exercise.

The legislator said that if the polls were not held afresh chaos may erupt.

Reports by Stephen Muthini, Justus Ochieng, Ead Achieng, Daniel Nyassy, Vivian Jebet, Kalume Kazungu, Elisha Otieno, George Munene.