Mass Exit from Yes Rally? Sounds Familiar...

[Onyango Oloo]

Wait a minute. Somebody somewhere was musing loudly quite recently how much of a thrill it would be for Orange supporters to shun, with discipline a Banana line up....Well, never mind....Read on...


Mass Walkout at Banana Rally

By JUMA ALUOCH , AMOS MOKUA & MAXWELL MASAVA, Kenya Times, October 8, 2005

THERE was a stampede and mass walkout prompting a premature end of a Banana rally at the Gusii Stadium yesterday.

The Vice-President Moody Awori who led a high powered government team to campaign for the Yes vote as the last speaker when barely 15 minutes into his speech there was a mass walkout.

Yesterday the battle for the referendum vote had moved to Gusiiland where the two opposing camps, Orange and Banana, held two parallel rallies at Gusii stadium and Gucha a few kilometres apart.

The stampede forced cabinet minister Simeon Nyachae who hosted the meeting attended by six cabinet ministers, seven Assistant Ministers and eight members of parliament to rush to the dais and appeal to the crowd to respect the old man since he was the last Speaker.

However, the commotion forced the Vice president to end his speech which lasted less than fifteen minutes as the security chiefs prepared way for the dignitaries to leave the stadium. A number of people sustained injuries during a scramble for the free copies of the draft constitution which the speakers advised them to read carefully before making their verdict on November 21.

During his short address, the Vice-President urged Kenyans to vote for the new constitution so that the government can embark on development projects because the document had not been prepared to fit one person but for the purpose of development in the country. He said, “We are not at war with one another. Let us (leaders) not develop hate among ourselves”. The VP said that Kenya had helped put in place governments in southern Sudan and Somalia and therefore, the same “should be demonstrated in our own country”.

Nyachae vowed to continue fighting to the bitter end to ensure that the new constitution goes through adding that there is no way one tribe can rebel against the forty two tribes in the country and expect to rule.

But the Orange team

stole the limelight, when after addressing a record mammoth rally in Ogembo township, snaked into Gusii Stadium, the venue of the Banana rally, and addressed a crowd that had been waiting for them . The crowd had remained behind after being addressed by the Banana team led by Vice-President Moody Awori and Ford People leader Simeon Nyachae. In Ogembo, another councillor was arrested after she was found ferrying 20 youth to disrupt the Orange meeting at Sameta. Councillor Felista Matibe was arrested and her car impounded at Ogembo Police Station where she too was being held.

A high powered Orange campaign team comprising of over 30 Members of Parliament yesterday claimed there was a major rip-off of public funds under the guise of improving State House facilities.

The Orange team claimed that for the last three financial years, Sh 700 million had been spent purportedly for refurbishing State House facilities countrywide.

Addressing a mammoth crowd at Sameta Stadium in Gucha district where top Orange team took its campaigns, Kanu Shadow Minister for Finance Billow Kerrow challenged the government to explain why the funds to put up a presidential palace were being channelled through the Ministry of Housing instead Roads and Public Works. During the rally, Gusii leaders said the liberation of the Kisii community had finally arrived and castigated the position taken by Energy Minister and Ford-People leader Simeon Nyachae on the referendum.

South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara claimed Nyachae had over the years subjected the community to a one man dictatorship and said his time had come to an end by failing to listen to the wishes of the people.

[Onyango Oloo]

You Can’t Trust Raila, say 11 Yes Ministers

By Standard Reporters

Eleven Cabinet ministers led by the Vice President Moody Awori yesterday used the Yes (Banana) campaign to discredit Roads Minister Raila Odinga and his late father Jaramogi.

The ministers who addressed two separate rallies – one in Bungoma and another in Kisii – said Raila, who is leading the Orange (No) team together with Kanu chairman Uhuru Kenyatta, could not be trusted.

The ministers and six Assistant Ministers broke into two teams and headed to Nyanza and Western provinces whey they launched into the Roads minister.

There were also a total of 10 backbenchers at the two rallies.

Awori was hosted for a rally in Kisii by Energy Minister Simeon Nyachae along with Kiraitu Murungi (Justice), Njenga Karume (Special Projects), David Mwiraria (Finance) and John Koech (East African Cooperation)

Local Government Minister Musikari Kombo led six Yes ministers in launching the Banana campaign in Western Province, with a declaration that Raila should not be trusted by the Luhya community.

Kombo described Raila as the man who betrayed late former Vice President Kijana Wamalwa Kijana and made him lose in 1997 even after the Luhya community voted for his father in the 1992 General Election.

In Kisii, Kiraitu said the Banana team wassmelling victory. "We have beaten Raila Odinga and his team in similar contests before and we will teach them a lesson again on the D-day,’’ he said.

Nyachae vowed he would use his energy to ensure the ‘real men’ win.

He accused Raila of using the Orange camp to ascend to power through the backdoor.

"Raila has tried using the Armed Forces together with his father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga but (former President) Moi crushed the coup attempt,’’ Nyachae said.

He added: "He vied for the Presidency in 1997 and came a distant fourth and on realising he was headed nowhere in the Government he is now using the draft Constitution to get to power but I assure him he will fail’’.

Kombo and Trade Minister Mukhisa Kituyi further claimed Raila’s father initiated the transfer of Kitale to the Rift Valley and Maseno to Luo Nyanza.

Kituyi said the Luhya should not waste their votes by rallying behind minor blocks but support the winning Yes group.

If the Luhya support a losing horse at the referendum, said Kituyi, they are likely to lose politically in future.

"While Central Kenya has 32 per cent of the voting block, Western has 17 per cent and we should not divide ourselves into minor blocks as this will make us lose politically", said Kituyi.

Information Minister Raphael Tuju claimed Raila was being propelled by greed for power.

"Mimi ni kiboko wa yule Kijana anasumbua na kutusi watu kwa sababu anaongozwa na tamaa ya uongozi (I am his disciplinarian),’’ said Tuju referring to Raila without naming him.

"You should back the leaders from this province because the grand match to State House initiated by Wamalwa is still on it can only succeed if we unite,’’ said Kombo.

Other ministers in the Yes campaign in Western were Njeru Ndwiga (Cooperatives) and Assistant Ministers Kivutha Kibwana, Danson Mungatana, and Moyale MP Dr Guracha Galgalo.

Kombo and Kituyi said they had the capacity to "protect Western Province from political infiltration by outsiders.’’

The ministers addressed Yes campaign rallies at Tongaren, Naitiri , Kimilili and Chwele.

Kombo said the Luhya should unite with Central Kenya and the North Rift neighbours to vote for the proposed new constitution.

Ndwiga dismissed Environment Minister Kalonzo Musyoka, who is in the Orange team, saying he was a Kanu minister when they were fighting for the country’s second liberation.

"Even Raila used to hide under the table whenever things went bad as we fought with the past regime in the streets of Nairobi,’’ Ndwiga said.

Awori called for harmony among the two rival camps and appealed Kenyans to shun violence.

"We should stop addressing one another as if we are at war but carry out peaceful campaigns as nationalists," he said.

Karume termed as unfounded claims that the Government would scrap the newly created districts, saying this was an Orange campaign gimmick.

Koech said members of the Kalenjin community were incited against through infliction of fear they would lose land once the proposed constitution is enforced.

"We are now warming up to towards the Government after successfully countering the propaganda by assuring Kalenjins that their land will not be taken away."

Mwiraria told the crowd the draft would address all the problems associated with the current constitution.

Kanu MP Maalim Mohammed said the draft had reduced the President’s immense powers..

Nyachae said despite his advanced age, he was strong enough to be entrusted with the leadership of the Abagusii community.

"I am old but I want the community to be united as I groom a successor," he said.

Police were deployed along the Kisii-Kisumu-Isebania

junction where No-supporting youths positioned themselves and shouted pro-Orange slogans.

[Onyango Oloo]

War of Words on Draft Hots up at Twin Rallies

Story by NATION Team
Publication Date: 10/8/2005

The war of words over the proposed Constitution intensified yesterday as the Yes and No-vote teams went head to head with parallel rallies held only a few kilometres apart.

Twenty-one MPs from the Yes team, who included the Vice President and six ministers went to Gusii stadium while 23 MPs from the No group who included five ministers addressed a rally at Sameta.

At the No rally, Roads minister Raila Odinga said the Orange movement was unstoppable and meant only to remove "political turncoats" from the country's leadership.

Cabinet minister Raila Odinga addresses a No campaign rally at Sameta in Gucha District. Photo by Jacob Owiti.

"We have moved a long way in fighting for democracy in this country and we cannot allow one or two bad elements to derail our dream," he said.

And Opposition leader Uhuru Kenyatta asked old guards in the current Government to step aside and give youth a chance to rule.

"We have experimented with old guards in Government for a long time but results have always been negative. We would therefore humbly request them to step aside and let us show them the way," he said.

At the Yes rally VP Moody Awori sent a passionate appeal to Kenyans to turn up in large numbers and vote for the proposed Constitution, because by doing so they would be charting the destiny of the country and exercising their nationalistic rights.

He said the Draft law prepared by Attorney General Amos Wako was suitable to the majority of Kenyans because it had addressed the needs of all, including women, youths and disabled people.

There was a scramble for copies of the Wako Draft and a number of people were slightly injured in a stampede in the stadium when they were handed out shortly after the VP finished his speech.

Earlier Energy minister Mr Simeon Nyachae, a leading member of the Yes team, appeared to be facing difficulties on his home turf when he repeatedly asked police to remove a group of youths shouting slogans against the proposed Constitution

Mr Nyachae clashed with Kisii police chief Peter Maloba over the presence of the pro-Orange youths who had gathered at the entrance to Kisii Town. Some of the Orange supporters who were waiting for No-team leaders refused to leave.

In spite of assurances by the police chief that the situation was under control, Mr Nyachae threatened to call Internal Security minister John Michuki if the police did not clear the Orange supporters, who Mr Nyachae feared could embarrass the Yes team.

Before even leaving Suneka airstrip after flying in from Nairobi, Mr Nyachae was heard complaining that the Orange team had hired youths to disrupt their meeting, but that police were reluctant to take action.

Students from Egerton University had earlier patrolled Kisii Town in a college bus, chanting anti-Nyachae and anti -Banana team slogans, undeterred by police.

There were more difficulties for the Banana group at Ogembo, where their campaigners who tried to enter the Orange venue at Sameta play ground in a Government registered truck were stoned and repulsed by an angry crowd.

The Orange team drove to Sameta in a snaking convoy that stretched around half a kilometre, addressing rallies at every stop on a 70-kilometre loop from the Kisii turn-off to Migori-Kenyenya-Ogembo.

They included Mr Odinga and his Cabinet colleagues Kalonzo Musyoka (Environment), Anyang Nyong'o (Planning), Ochillo Ayacko (Sports) and Najib Balala (Heritage), as well as the leader of the Official Opposition, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, Kanu secretary general William Ruto and former Vice-President Musalia Mudavadi.

The Banana Yes-vote group which converged at Gusii stadium only 20 km from Sameta, was led by the Vice-President Moody Awori and included Mr Nyachae and other ministers David Mwiraria (Finance), Kiraitu Murungi (Justice), Njenga Karume (Special Programmes), John Koech (Regional Co-operation), and Martha Karua (Water).

And for the first time the Banana team did not use government vehicles and aircraft following mounting criticism that they were using public resources amounting to abuse of office, illegal under the Public Officer Ethics Act.

They landed at Suneka airstrip in a private chartered aircraft, 12km from Kisii Town and travelled in a convoy of private cars to the stadium.

The Banana team which has the support of President Kibaki, and by extension the Government, has been criticised for eight decisions made within a period of three weeks, which the Orange team claims amount to an attempt to bribe voters to back the proposed Constitution in the referendum on November 21.

These were Thursday's announcement of a pay increase to councillors; a pledge to write letters to chiefs guaranteeing them jobs; resettling 10,000 people evicted from the Mau Forest; rescinding a decision to evict 3,000 squatters from Kipkurere Forest; handing land title deeds to the Ogiek community; degazetting Amboseli national park and handing it over to the local council; using Government vehicles for partisan political events; and reversing the law that banned splitting plots of less than two-and-half acres.

The heavy presence of security at both rallies and on the routes used by the teams yesterday showed the importance of the rallies.

Nyanza police chief Joseph ole Tito was in command, patrolling both districts and coordinating the movement of his officers.

He told the Nation he had to move more police from neighbouring districts to beef up security.

The police designated the routes to be used by each team to ensure they did not clash.

The Orange campaigners who travelled from Kisumu were diverted to turn to the right just before entering Kisii Town to avoid the possibility of running into Banana supporters.

A contingent of riot police were positioned in major trading centres while others escorted the team along the route.

It was the same from Suneka from where the Banana team moved to Gusii stadium.

At Suneka trading centre on their way to the stadium, the Banana convoy was confronted by a group of people carrying oranges and chanting the No slogans.

Police had mounted the highest security presence ever seen in Kisii Town as there was tension following rumours that supporters of the two sides could clash.

Regular and riot police positioned themselves in strategic places while others patrolled the town just in case there was any trouble.

While Vice-President Moody Awori leads the Yes team in neighbouring Kisii.

At one point, groups of Orange and Banana supporters met at the entrance to the stadium but there was no confrontation as both went their separate ways.

In the Orange camp, on the route to Sameta, Mr Musyoka defended his Cabinet colleague Charity Ngilu during a stop at Kenyenya market, who has apparently lost her enthusiasm for the Banana campaign.

He praised Mrs Ngilu as a visionary leader and said she could not allow herself to be misused by people fronting for selfish interests.

"My sister Ngilu has the vision and has read the signs of times. The Orange movement is unstopabble and she felt she had not to be left behind in pursuit of a good Constitution," he said.

The minister said the Kamba community was united in opposition to the proposed new Constitution and accused assistant Finance minister Mutua Katuku and MP Kalembe Ndile of losing their political track.

"We in Ukambani have a common stand over the new Constitution issue in as much there are a few elements trying to make unnecessary noise. But we appreciate that every market place has a mad man", said Mr Musyoka.

He was reacting to Mrs Ngilu's decision to skip a Banana campaign meeting held in Mwingi Town on Thursday.

Mr Musyoka however warned against rigging the referendum, saying it would be a recipe for bigger trouble.