“Sikizeni, Sikizeni. ‘Kama wamekataa ni sawa…’ These were the words of Vihiga County Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo when he attempted in vain to beg the irate cr towdo give him ample time to speak during President William Ruto’s Western tour, specifically in Luanda town.
The crowd’s anger was palpable, and despite Ottichilo’s attempts to calm them, they remained hostile, making it difficult for him to deliver his message.
This was a clear sign of the tense atmosphere in the area during the rally, as the crowd’s frustration with the local leadership appeared to be escalating.
In a video seen by this writer, the Head of State, President Ruto, had to step in and intervene, saving Ottichilo from the increasingly aggressive crowd. The crowd continued to chant and demanded that the governor hand over the microphone to the next speaker.
Ruto’s intervention was seen as necessary, as the situation threatened to spiral out of control. The President, who was present to engage with locals and address their concerns, was visibly concerned about the disruption.
He could be seen and heard calling on Luanda MP Dick Maungu to step in and help calm the situation, as the crowd seemed adamant in their rejection of Ottichilo and his government.
In the video, Dick Maungu, in what appeared to be an attempt to do damage control, claimed that some youths in the crowd had been given local beer to cheer and embarrass the Head of State.
He suggested that the rowdiness was partly fueled by external influences rather than genuine discontent. Despite this, Maungu assured the President and the gathering that the people of the Western region would continue to stand with Ruto and support his government.
He emphasized that the region would not allow any form of sabotage against the Kenya Kwanza government, reiterating the importance of unity in moving forward and maintaining peace.
Despite the chaotic scene, Maungu’s words reflected a sense of commitment to the government’s agenda, hoping to restore order and focus among the crowd.”
