Jubilee, Cord stalwarts bicker on social media as Kenyans lick demo wounds
Top Jubilee and CORD communication stalwarts continued to tear into each other via social media until late on Monday, on a day Kenya witnessed its worst form of demonstrations and violence since the 2007/08 post-election violence.
The violence was triggered rowdy youthful protesters who had joined Cord principals Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula in demonstrations designed to push for the removal of the IEBC Commissioners from office.
In the process, shops within Nairobi’s CBD were looted and bystanders were robbed of their valuables including money and mobile phones.
Some goons masquerading as CORD protestors have looted a restaurant in our office building. The management is counting losses.
— Dedan (@Kimathi__) May 16, 2016
Scores of protesters were injured after being beaten up by anti-riot police officers, with one reportedly admitted in hospital.
Visiting the victims of police brutality in various hospitals across the city; we catered to their medical expenses. pic.twitter.com/d4fvv05qlb
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) May 16, 2016
Many others are nursing broken limbs.
Just how ugly things can get during demos… https://t.co/NsTGUrD6yw
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) May 16, 2016
Munyori Buku, a Director of Public Communication at State House, fired the first Salvo in the social media war when he released a statement titled; “What does Raila Want?”
He, among other things, accused Mr Odinga of “attempting to overthrow the Moi Government”.
Buku’s statement read in part; “In 2007, he thundered the same threat and Kenya burned. And this is not the first time he fought to overthrow the Constitution.. In 1982, he attempted to overthrow the Moi government. The coup was smashed.”
Buku’s colleague Dennis Itumbi followed suit moments later, by posting on his social media page images of the skirmishes with the caption; “Brand Political Violence belongs to Hon. Raila Odinga and Cord – we have confirmed today beyond reasonable doubt.”
Soon after, ODM’s Communications Director Phil Etale, who had spent the better part of the day posting images of police dispersing the protesters, fired back at his “rivals” by stating on his Facebook post; “Dennis Itumbi, with due respect, find someone else to foolishly engage. Leave my name out of your evil plans and machinations. I will speak my mind and will not be intimidated by your likes. So kindly do your job and I do mine peacefully.”
Itumbi was to promptly respond on the same post stating; “Yes just do not burn your motherland. Those are dangerous thoughts by a communication person affiliated to a leading Political party.”
Undeterred, Etale shot back; “The pictures I have shared tell how evil your govt is. What are you scared of. Why are you running a mock.”