Nasa embarks on vote hunt in Kakamega
Nasa supporters at Bukhungu stadium for the launch of the opposition coalition s campaigns in Kakamega on June 3, 2017. PHOTO | BENSON AMADALA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
The opposition National Super Alliance embarks on its first official campaign rally in Kakamega town today.
The alliance is expected to unveil a basketful of goodies for the populous Western region in a bid to ward off Jubilee’s onslaught in the region.
The Nasa team, led by flag bearer Raila Odinga, is expected to unveil the Western Region Investment Conference which outlines several programmes geared towards empowering the four counties of Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga and Busia as well as Trans Nzoia economically.
Nasa chiefs including Mr Odinga’s running mate Kalonzo Musyoka, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi, Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula and Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto are expected to first converge at the Golf hotel before leaving for Bukhungu stadium in a convoy of vehicles.
Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, who was on Friday cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to seek re-election in the August polls, urged residents to turn up for the rally in large numbers.
“You should all turn up in large numbers at Bukhungu Stadium to send a powerful message to Jubilee about where our support lies. President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto should know that voters in Kakamega are fully behind Mr Odinga,” said Mr Oparanya.
Nasa supporters started arriving in Kakamega as early as 6 am in buses and matatus from different parts of Western to prepare for the rally.
Kakamega came alive as Nasa supporters dressed in the orange, green and white, colours symbolising the ODM, Ford-Kenya, Amani National Congress and Chama cha Mashinani took the town by storm.
Security has been heightened in Kakamega ahead of the Nasa presidential campaign launch due to a large number of people expected to attend.
Western region police coordinator Mr Moses Ombati said incidents of hooliganism and incitements would not be entertained.
“We are asking all aspirants to go about their campaigns in a peaceful and orderly way and avoid disrupting normal business activities in the town,” said Mr Ombati.
The rally will kick off the first phase of the opposition alliance’s official campaigns. It will be followed by rallies in Kapsabet on Sunday and Machakos on Monday.
The Nasa brigade will take a break on Tuesday and Wednesday before heading to Coast region on Thursday.
On that day, the Nasa brigade will split into two groups, one covering Lamu and Tana River counties and the other covering Mombasa and Kilifi.
