The Orange Democratic Movement has distanced itself from a heckling incident at President William Ruto's rally at Kiutine in Meru on Friday.
The President told off the youthful lot saying heckling and demonstrations are a preserve of the Azimio coalition that was not going to be entertained at his functions.
"Listen well, I want to plan how you will get jobs. I don't want to see heckling. We have come here to plan the development of Meru."
The President said he was not going to tolerate heckling at his functions or the function of any leader.
"I want every leader to be respected. This heckling behaviour is a preserve of the Azimio and are thing by ODM. We don't want ODM issues here UDA and Kenya Kwanza rallies," he said.
Ruto is in Meru County on a three-day development tour.
The heckling started after he ordered that Governor Kawira Mwangza be given the microphone to speak.
The governor tried in vain to address the crowd amid jeers from the placard-waving youth.
In its response to the heckling incident, the ODM party said it does not wish to be drawn into "petty politics".
Party leader Raila Odinga was leading the party's grassroots registration in Voi, Taita Taveta.
"ODM was just chilling reaching out to the people in Taita Taveta without shouting and ranting, until it was mentioned and made more and more bigger. We are engaged in serious business at the Coast and we shall not be drawn into petty politics," the party said in a statement on X.
During the exercise, Raila paid a visit to victims of demolitions at Msambweni in Voi town.
He decried the inhumane treatment of the people and asked the Kenya Kwanza administration to treat Kenyans with respect and dignity.
The party said the demolitions have displaced over 3,000 people in Msambweni, Voi.
Speaking at the event, Nairobi Senator and the ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna told the President the heckling was an indication of disgruntled people dissatisfied with his government.
"He is saying it's you ODM supporters who have sent people to heckle him in Meru. We are here in Taita Taveta with Baba (Raila) and you are being heckled because of nonperformance."
