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Why Cord protests failed in Ukambani, Western regions
Cord leader Raila Odinga's bodyguards hung onto his vehicle as they frisk him away from anti-riot police vehicle which sprayed protesters with "itchy" liquid to disperse them on May 23, 2016 during demonstrations against the IEBC. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
There are claims other ODM officials avoided the protests because they were led by Dr Khalwale, who is engaged in a supremacy battle with Mr Oparanya.
Allies of Cord leaders Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula were at pains to explain why the protest rallies failed to take place in their strongholds.
Cord officials in Trans Nzoia said they postponed the protests to next Monday after consultations.
ODM officials in Kakamega chickened out of Monday’s anti-IEBC protests for fear of being tear-gassed.
Deputy Governor Philip Kutima, who is the county party chairman, said it would have been improper for him or Governor Wycliffe Oparanya to take part in the protests.
“This is a tricky matter that requires discussion. Do you expect me or the governor to lead the protests and end up being tear-gassed by police?” asked Prof Kutima.
The ODM top leadership was conspicuously absent from the protests led by Senator Boni Khalwale, who was later arrested.
Mr Oparanya is in India on an official visit. There are claims other ODM officials avoided the protests because they were led by Dr Khalwale, who is engaged in a supremacy battle with Mr Oparanya. ODM supporters also kept off.
Meanwhile, allies of Cord leaders Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula were at pains to explain why the protest rallies failed to take place in their strongholds.
Ford-Kenya Secretary General Eseli Simiyu said protests failed in Mr Wetangula’s Bungoma backyard due to poor organisation.
“Organisers did not get there in good time to plan the protests. They were late,” Dr Simiyu told the Nation.
In Machakos, Deputy Governor Bernard Kiala and Woman Representative Susan Musyoka, who were the organisers said they called off the protests after learning they were being targeted by police.
“We got information that were being targeted by security agencies so we decided to make a tactical retreat, but we will organise the rallies in future,” Mr Kiala said.
Cord officials in Trans Nzoia said they postponed the protests to next Monday after consultations.
Kwanza MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi said: “We moved our protests to next week so we can ensure our cause is not hijacked by other interests.”
Reported by PHILIP BWAYO, BENSON AMADALA and PETER LEFTIE
