Azimio La Umoja presidential running mate, Martha Karua, was on Thursday, June 30, whisked out of the podium by her security detail after chaos erupted during a campaign rally in Kisii county.
In video footage seen by Kenyans.co.ke, her bodyguards are seen pulling her back seconds after she started making her speech.
Other politicians in the dais including Raila Odinga’s wife, Ida Odinga, and Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege are seen moving away as police lobbed teargas to disperse the clashing groups.
Azimio running mate Martha Karua during the launch of the GBV centre in Kisii County on Thursday, June 30, 2022.
Martha Karua
Karua was rushed to her vehicle with the rally coming to an abrupt end.
As she hurriedly left the podium, the microphone was still in her hand and could be heard saying: “What’s happening? Let’s go.”
Preliminary investigations show that the fracas ensued after supporters of Dagoretti North Member of Parliament, Simba Arati, and those of Chris Ongwae, who are both contesting for the Kisii gubernatorial seat, clashed.
Before the rally, Karua and Ida attended the launch of the Kisii county Gender-Based Violence Centre in the company of Governor Ongwae.
Notably, the Narc Kenya party leader, through a post on her social media, announced that she would still complete her “eventful” tour of Kisii county.
The chaos witnessed comes just a day after Kiambu gubernatorial aspirant, Mwende Gatabaki, called on the Inspector General of Police, Hillary Mutyambai, to beef up security for all female contestants in the August 9 polls.
While addressing concerns raised by UDA over chaos witnessed in political campaigns, IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati disclosed that his hands were tied and he could not do anything about it.
He explained that investigating and dealing with incidences of violence was the mandate of the IEBC Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee which had been declared unconstitutional.
“We do not have powers to summon. When parties write to us, all we can do is forward them to the DPP and preach peace asking candidates to campaign peacefully.
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati during the voter transmission simulation exercise at the Bomas of Kenya on Thursday. June 9, 2022.
IEBC
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