NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 20 — Supporters of the Azimio Coalition party, a conglomerate of parties led by President Uhuru Kenyatta, clashed in Turkana on Wednesday in yet another incident of sibling rivalry that led to a violent conformation between two camps.
The two camps allied to the two main sponsors of the alliance — Jubilee Party and ODM — resorted into stone throwing as they sought the recognition of their preferred gubernatorial candidates during a campaign rally at Moi Gardens in Lodwar addressed by Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga.
Chaos erupted after Suna East MP Junet Mohammed invited former Petroleum CS John Munyes (Jubilee) to speak ahead of Loima MP Jeremiah Lomurkai (ODM).
Munyes and Lomuraki are seeking succeed Governor Josphat Nanok who has served for two terms.
A group of people donning Jubilee t-shirts were seen chanting “No Munyes, No Raila” before rivals groups started pelting stones at each other.
Former UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi, who was addressing the meeting before the chaos erupted, was forced to cut his speech short.
Odinga later made a brief address after the security team restored calm with Munyes forces to skip key campaign stops Turkana South, West and Central.
The security team managed to restore calm and Raila addressed supporters.
The incident was condemned by Governor Nanok who accused the Azimio camp of fomenting chaos in a county that has remained largely peaceful.
Nanok warned that incidents of political violence could reverse gains made in enhancing the business environment.
“This is a party that will make Kenya ungovernable and kill businesses.”
