Rowdy youths block Raila, Kalonzo convoy in Meru town – PHOTOS
Rowdy youths opposed to the National Super Alliance on Monday blocked the convoy of Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka from entering the main matatu terminal in Meru town.
The youths, who were chanting pro-Jubilee Party songs, blocked the entrance as the opposition leaders’ motorcade made its way into Meru town.
They used stones to barricade the road leading to the terminal where the two leaders were scheduled to address a crowd.
The two principals were forced to avoid the venue.
Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka are on a two-day tour of Mount Kenya East with stopovers in Maua, Laare, Timau and Meru town in Meru county as well as Tharaka-Nithi’s Kathwana and Marimanti, among others.
However, the Nasa leaders received a rousing welcome at the town centre where they addressed supporters before heading to Kiutine in Igembe Central.
They accused Jubilee politicians of planning to disrupt the meeting at the main bus terminal.
Dagoretti MP Simba Arati said they would woo more Meru voters to support the opposition despite the region being branded a Jubilee zone.
“I am told that they have sent some youths to make noise but we will not be cowed,” Mr Arati said.
ODM chairman John Mbadi said the good reception in Meru was an indication that the opposition had support in the area.
“I used to say that Meru is a battle ground but I now believe this is a Nasa zone,” Mr Mbadi said.
Suna East Junet Mohamed said the opposition was keen on garnering many votes in areas considered to be Jubilee strongholds, including Meru.
Hooliganism and intolerance have marred campaigns by the two main rivals in the August General Election, Jubilee and Nasa.
Early this month, Mr Odinga was heckled in Turkana East, a month after his campaign was disrupted in Changamwe, Mombasa.
On the hand, Jubilee Deputy Party Leader William Ruto was heckled in Narok after he was received and hosted by leaders facing resistance on the ground.
Mr Ruto was also blocked from entering Bungoma town early this year.
This will be the second visit by Mr Odinga to Meru in less than a month.
During his last visit on January 26, he received a warm welcome at Makutano, Kianjai, Muriri, Maili Tatu and Laare towns.
In the last elections, Mr Odinga’s party clinched two seats in the region, Igembe Central and Tigania East parliamentary posts.
But the two MPs elected on ODM’s ticket, Mr Kubai Kiringo and Mr Mpuru Aburi have since decamped to Jubilee.
