Raila's Rally in Meru Flops as NASA, Jubilee Supporters Clash

A rally organized by Opposition leader Raila Odinga in Laare area OF Meru County on Tuesday failed to kick off after Jubilee and Nasa supporters clashed.

In a statement Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Director of communications Philip Etale said Raila and his fellow principals had cancelled the “no reforms, no elections” campaign in Meru.

Tension began when youths chanting Jubilee slogans arrived at the venue where the rally was scheduled to take place and lit bonfires, which transformed into a running battle with their Nasa rivals.

Police waged in and fired teargas to scatter two groups who engaged each other for the better part of Tuesday morning.

Organisers were forced to pack seats that had been ferried at the venue in preparations of the rally.

Meru County ODM chairman Robert Kathata said that bad weather prevented Nasa leaders from flying to Meru from the City.

“We will announce another date for our rally. However, we maintain that there will be no elections on October 26,” Kathata said.

Lawyer Kirimi Mbogo condemned the disruption by Jubilee supporters, adding that Nasa will not give in to intimidation by the ruling party supporters.

“We ask the Jubilee supporters to respect the opposition in Meru. We are peace lovers and urge the police to ensure we enjoy our constitutional rights. We are ready to rescue this country from bad leadership,” Mbogo said.

Raila garnered 55,000 votes in Meru County in the cancelled August 8th election, an increase from the 32,000 votes he got in 2013.