Maina Kamanda had mic in his hand: Why BBI rally in Mombasa ended prematurely

By , K24 Digital
On Sat, 25 Jan, 2020 16:46 | 2 mins read
Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen (pictured), in his speech, said he welcomes the idea of a referendum to effect changes proposed by the BBI taskforce. [PHOTO | K24 DIGITAL]
Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen (pictured), in his speech, said he welcomes the idea of a referendum to effect changes proposed by the BBI taskforce. [PHOTO | K24 DIGITAL]
Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen (pictured), in his speech, said he welcomes the idea of a referendum to effect changes proposed by the BBI taskforce. [PHOTO | K24 DIGITAL]

By Brian Okoth, Eunice Sigei and Daniel Kariuki

Nominated MP Maina Kamanda had a microphone firmly clutched in his hand, when, all of a sudden, the Mombasa BBI meeting’s main attraction, Raila Odinga, rose and left the VIP podium, effectively bringing the rally to a premature end.

The event’s emcee, Suna East lawmaker, Junet Mohamed, had – just a few minutes earlier – said that Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria was to address the gathering, that comprised thousands of Mombasa residents. But that did not happen.

Questions, immediately, arose among attendees of the event on why the rally ended in such an anti-climax fashion. Kenyans, who were following the proceedings on live TV, on the other hand, were confused watching Raila Odinga waving to the crowd as his convoy drove out of the Mama Ngina Waterfront Park. All that while, Kamanda still had the microphone in his hand.

Why did that happen? K24 Digital has gathered that Raila Odinga ordered the programme ends immediately.

K24 Television reporter Daniel Kariuki, who covered the event in Mombasa, says the moment pro-Uhuru and Raila leaders began attacking pro-Ruto leaders in their speeches, Odinga was irked and asked Mombasa Governor Ali Joho and Junet to end the function, notwithstanding who was speaking at the time, or scheduled to speak thereafter.

“The ODM leader had sensed that tensions were rising, and there was need for the ceremony to end peacefully as it had begun. According to the schedule, Raila Odinga was to speak last before the meeting ends. Based on the speeches that had been made -- seemingly attacking those affiliated to DP William Ruto --, Odinga called Joho, Junet, Abdulswamad Nassir, and directed that the event ends,” said Kariuki.

Some of the pro-Ruto leaders, who attended the event, include Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen, Nakuru senator Susan Kihika, Gatundu South legislator Moses Kuria, Nyali MP Mohamed Ali, among others.

Murkomen, in his speech, said he welcomes the idea of a referendum to effect changes proposed by the BBI taskforce. This is a clear contrast to his earlier public speeches, in which he said the only way the BBI proposals could be adopted was through Parliamentary action.

Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika urged pro-Uhuru and Raila supporters not to alienate leaders who are in the pro-Ruto camp over their political inclinations.

Kihika said the BBI project should be an all-inclusive affair.

Cherangany MP, Joshua Kutuny, was among the speakers who chided the Ruto allies present at the event.

“All the speakers affiliated to that [Ruto’s] camp, today are all referring to Raila Odinga as Baba, Baba. Reality has dawned on them that the political wave and goodwill is with Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta. See now, they couldn’t help, but join us,” said Kutuny, sending thunderous laughter among the attendees of the event.