The PM arrives for a rally in Likoni last weekend/REBECCA NDUKU-PMPS
A statement from the PM’s spokesman Denis Onyango on Wednesday evening indicated that the Kakamega rally will now be held on Sunday.
“After further deliberations, ODM wishes to announce a change to its weekend itinerary in Western Kenya,” the statement said.
“On Saturday, May 26th, 2012, the party will hold a public rally in Busia Town and not in Kakamega as announced earlier today,” the statement emphasised.
The latest change comes after Ndagarwa MP Jeremiah Kioni allied to Musalia Mudavadi’s United Democratic Forum (UDF) Party raised concerns that ODM was organising counter meetings after learning of UDF’s meetings.
Mudavadi who defected from ODM had earlier on Wednesday through his private secretary Kibisu Kabatesi indicated that he was going to meet grassroots, political party and professional leaders in Kakamega on Saturday as part of his “forthcoming intensive presidential campaign in the region.”
ODM is said to have been keen to avoid a clash of rival groups in Kakamega just weeks after supporters of Odinga and Mudavadi clashed in Sabatia during the burial of the father to Nairobi Mayor George Aladwa.
On Sunday when Odinga will be at Muliro gardens, his former party deputy Mudavadi will be the chief guest at the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Centennial celebrations at Gusii Stadium in Kisii.
UDF had planned a rally in Kisii on the same date but postponed it due to the SDA church celebrations.
Odinga and the ODM-Reloaded team will be at in Busia in Kakamega towns for the two rallies, which will be preceded by road shows through the estates of both towns on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
On Friday, Mudavadi will be the guest of honour at the Sabatia District Education Day at Moi Girls Vokoli.
Last week, both parties were engaged in a show of might at the Coast holding parallel rallies in a scramble for the coastal vote.
While UDF held its rally at the Tononoka grounds ODM held its rally in Likoni with police keeping tight vigil to avert any ugly incidences at both rallies.
ODM and UDF have also filed notices of motions in Parliament to form ad hoc parliamentary committees both proposing to deal with the issue of the outlawed Mombasa Republican Council after they made promises to the group in last weekend rallies.
About The Author
