ODM Addresses Turkana Festival Incident, Advocates for Respect in Politics

Rothschild Jobi

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has voiced its concerns after its leader, Raila Odinga, faced disruptions during the Turkana Tourism and Cultural Festival in Lodwar on Friday.

In response to the incident, ODM emphasized the importance of respecting political leaders and differing opinions, as it believes that failure to do so may lead to a culture of confrontation across the country, potentially resulting in chaos.




ODM’s Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna, described the treatment of Mr. Odinga as “bad manners,” given that he had been officially invited to the festival. Sifuna expressed the view that it is unbecoming to invite a guest and then subject them to a hostile environment, especially during an event celebrating African culture.




The incident began at the festival venue, Ekalees Center, when some County Assembly Members openly criticized Mr. Odinga, alleging that he had not effectively advocated for the political interests of Turkana County. This led to rising tensions as a portion of the crowd demanded that Mr. Odinga address them, all while key leaders, including Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, were present.




ODM’s National Treasurer, Timothy Bosire, linked the verbal attack on Mr. Odinga to national politics, implicating President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) without clear evidence. However, UDA’s Secretary General, Cleophas Malala, declined to comment on the matter.

Bosire stated that the attack aimed to demean and embarrass their leader, revealing a lack of respect for democracy and its institutions within the UDA. He called on UDA’s top leadership to address the incident, warning that such behavior could lead to chaos in the country.

The incident took place shortly after President Ruto’s visit to Raila Odinga’s stronghold, Nyanza, where he received a warm welcome. Bosire argued that it presented a negative image of the country’s commitment to democracy. He stressed the need to foster democratic institutions and a culture that respects all leaders, even if they hold different views.




Bosire also accused Governor Lomorukai of playing a role in Mr. Odinga’s humiliation in Turkana. He called upon ODM leaders from Turkana, including the governor, to provide an account of the incident to prevent the compromise of democratic institutions.

Mr. Odinga, while surrounded by various political leaders, was eventually able to leave the scene, but the incident highlighted the challenges of addressing the crowd due to the absence of a public address system.

In response to the incident, Mr. Odinga emphasized that he did not require anyone’s permission to visit Turkana County, as he enjoys significant support in the region. He regarded it as an act of impunity to deny him the opportunity to communicate with his constituents.




Turkana Central MP, Emathe Namuar, had declared that chaotic political rallies would not be allowed in the area.

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