Opposition leaders call for increased security during rallies

Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang'ula on February 18, 2016 called on the government to beef up security for the Opposition during campaign rallies. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

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Mr Wetang'ula was speaking on Saturday morning in Kisumu shortly after he visited former minister Joseph Otiende at Avenue Hospital accompanied by Mr Wamalwa.

Nasa co-principal Moses Wetang'ula and Kiminini legislator Chris Wamalwa now want the government to increase security for politicians during this electioneering period.                       

Their calls come a day after rowdy youth disrupted ODM leader Raila Odinga's rally in Katilia, Turkana County where he had gone to popularize the new opposition outfit.

Mr Odinga left before making his address.                       

While condemning the incident, Mr Wetang'ula said the government should be able to provide security everywhere and not expose not only prominent people but Kenyans, to any threat as witnessed in Turkana.

“We want to see Kenyans going to every part of Kenya and selling their policies freely. People have the right to resist ideas sold to them but do not have the right to interfere with whoever is delivering the message,” he said.

The Ford Kenya leader gave an example of their recent tour to Embu with his Wiper counterpart Mr Kalonzo Musyoka where he said a group of youth told them openly that the area was a Jubilee zone, but they sold their policies and left.

He was speaking on Saturday morning in Kisumu shortly after he visited former minister Joseph Otiende at Avenue Hospital accompanied by Mr Wamalwa.

Mr Wetang'ula also termed last night incident where Baringo County MCA, together with a parliamentary aspirant for Tiaty Constituency were shot dead at a petrol station in Marigat, as a clear indication of a failed government that is unable to deal with run-away insecurity in the country.                       

The Nasa co-principal asked the Interior CS Joseph Nkaiserry to do all he can to ensure that those behind the Turkana incident are arrested and action taken against them.

"Nkaiserry should use the same force he used on us and innocent protestors during the anti-IEBC demonstrations in dealing with bandits and youth who are keen on perpetrating violence during this electioneering period," said Mr Wetang'ula.

Mr Wamalwa accused Jubilee of failing in all aspects asking residents of Kisumu to vote overwhelmingly for Nasa in the coming General election for them to correct the wrong the current government has caused.

“Come August 9, we will have taken power and we will show Jubilee how security is tackled,” said Mr Wamalwa.

The two opposition leaders who later left for a day long campaign in Busia County, called on those who have not listed as voters to take advantage of the extended deadline and register in numbers.