Hostile reception forces Kalonzo to cut short Tharaka Nithi tour

Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka was forced to cut short his tour of Tharaka Constituency on Thursday as pro-government supporters chanting pro-government slogans disrupted the meeting.

The tour, which sought to traverse Marimanti, Kibong’a, Mukothima and Gachoroni on its first of a two-day tour of Tharaka Nithi County, was abruptly brought to an end at Kibong’a as “two term” chants made it hard for the leaders to address the gathered crowd.

He had began his day by officially opening the new-look Wiper Liberation Front’s Tharaka office before embarking on a day-long tour of Tharaka constituency, his first of a two-day tour of Tharaka Nithi County’s Chuka/Igamba Ng’ombe, Maara and Tharaka constituencies.

However, no sooner had he settled on his car’s sunroof at Marimanti, a group of rowdy youth, chanting pro-government slogans, disrupted the meeting. At Kibong’a, the situation was no different; the events forced the Wiper leader to cut short his tour, which he believes was largely successful.

“I don’t know who had paid them what, but this is the type of intolerance. We are a democracy, and people have every right. In fact, the only credit I give the people of Marimanti, nobody threw stones, nobody said dirty things," he said.

Kalonzo blames the disruption on Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who he says has grown intolerant of divergent views, especially those castigating the administration he serves.

“He should set the example by allowing people to come to his place freely. But if he is going to be the chief goon, kuorganise goons na watu kama hivyo, how will he as Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya be received elsewhere?” Kalonzo noted.

Kathiani MP Robert Mbui added: “It is a shame na mimi nataka kusema, it doesn’t matter wale vijana watatu watano wasita. Your excellency, thank you for telling us to keep our cool na ukatuambia sisi let us not react, and that is the gentleman we want.”

It is unclear whether the tour will continue to Maara and Chuka/Igamba Ng’ombe as planned.