Matungu ODM poll drama catches up with Raila
Prime Minister Raila Odinga checks time during the burial of Mzee Alfonse Chitere Mumia, a son of the late Mumia Nabongo of the Wanga kingdom at the weekend. With him is Matungu MP David Were. ODM supporters booed Mr Were, who is the local MP. A political seat aspirant accused the party of imposing unpopular leaders. Photo/ISAAC WALE
Ugly scenes met Prime Minister Raila Odinga at a funeral in Matungu constituency after irate mourners’ heckled area MP David Were, bringing the service to a standstill for more than ten minutes.
It took the intervention of Mr Odinga’s security detail and police officers from the area to control the crowd that shouted insults at Mr Were forcing the legislator to cut short his speech.
Trouble started when councillor Fred Kubende took to the podium and asked Mr Odinga why ODM was forcing its supporters to recognise the MP as the party’s local chairman even after Mr Were lost to his rival Paul Posho in recent grassroots elections.
“Must the MP become the chairman of this ODM sub-branch even after he lost in four successive repeat elections?” Posed Mr Kubende amid cheers from the crowd that called the MP “a sellout.”
Mr Posho said his camp will not participate in another planned ODM election.
When he stood to address the mourners, Mr Odinga steered clear of the incident only urging the crowd to elect individuals with good track records.
But his wife Ida Odinga urged ODM supporters to stop the infighting, likening them to occupants of a boat that can capsize if a section of the crew drills holes in the vessel in the middle of a journey.
Lands minister James Orengo challenged Mr Were to accept the verdict of party supporters for the sake of unity within ODM.
The leaders were speaking during the funeral service of the late Mzee Alfonse Chitere Mumia, a son to the late Mumia Nabongo of the Wanga Kingdom whom the PM described as a “close family friend.”
