- The Roots party chief is among leaders supporting Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance leader Raila Odinga’s nationwide protests.
- A video clip seen by the Star shows a vehicle claimed to belong to Wajackoyah being pelted with stones as it speeds along the Busia-Kisumu highway.
Image: COURTESY
A group on Wednesday stopped Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah’s address in Busia as he mobilised residents for Azimio anti-government protests.
Wajackoyah and ODM MPs Raphael Wanjala (Budalang’i) and Catherine Omanyo (Busia Woman Representative) were reportedly ejected from Busia town by an angry mob shortly before they addressed a gathering in Marachi estate.
The Roots Party chief is among leaders supporting Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance leader Raila Odinga’s nationwide protests against the skyrocketing cost of living.
A video clip seen by the Star shows a vehicle claimed to belong to Wajackoyah being pelted with stones as it speeds along the Busia-Kisumu highway.
The vehicle joined the Busia-Kisumu highway from the road that leads to Marachi estate on the South Western end of Busia town.
Wajackoyah reportedly arrived in Marachi accompanied by Wanjala and Omanyo where the former presidential candidate and other Azimio leaders were scheduled to address residents.
He was, however, forced to stop his speech as rowdy youth charged towards his car.
Omanyo and Wanjala sources told the Star that they escaped the area using a different route.
The three leaders drove to Busia town after addressing residents of Matayos and Bumala.
Earlier in Bumala, they told a charged crowd that President William Ruto had failed Kenyans as he had unsuccessfully tried to reform the economy that is pushing Kenyans into abject poverty.
Omanyo in a video seen by the Star is heard telling supporters that Ruto’s government may not address their problems.
He asked the UDA leadership to explain what they meant when they said Kenya was like a company where there are majority shareholders, minority shareholders and people who do not own shares.
The Woman Rep in the address told residents to moblilise in large numbers and convene in Busia town where the leaders, alongside former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Matayos MP Geoffrey Odanga would address a rally.
Wajackoyah and the opposition MPs’ ejection from Marachi unfolded as two rival groups clashed. One group is in support of the Azimio protests while the other is against it.
By the time Wajackoyah arrived in Marachi, roads leading to the estate had partially been barricaded.
But youth against the protests are said to have cleared the roads to pave the way for the resumption of normal business operations.
Busia town, by the time the Star filed this story, remained deserted.
Business people stayed away as some youth demonstrated engaged law enforcers.
Youth in support of Raila’s anti-government demonstrations said life had become unbearable for the common Kenyan calling on President Ruto to act by reducing the cost of fuel which they said is the route cause of the skyrocketing cost of living.
In the border town of Malaba, business activity remained low.
Most PSV vehicles stayed away from operations fearing attacks from protesters.
Cross-border operations remained active although there was a very low number of cargo trucks crossing the border.
Busia Youth Alliance president Lazarus Ojijo urged county residents to remain calm.