Raila Faces Hostile Reception in Kisii as Residents Walk Out During His Speech
ODM party leader Raila Odinga experienced a mixed reaction from residents in Kisii County on Sunday, March 9, during an event at Gusii Stadium.
A section of the crowd openly jeered him, with some walking out in protest while others engaged in anti-Ruto chants.
Raila was in Kisii for the official unveiling of Shabana FC’s new kits, a ceremony attended by prominent figures such as Kisii Governor Simba Arati, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, and ODM youth leader Kasmuel MCOure.
Despite Kisii being one of his long-time political strongholds, the opposition leader faced a tough crowd, with reactions oscillating between applause and heckling.
Videos and images circulating online captured moments when sections of the audience booed Raila, disrupting his address.
Some residents even started leaving the stadium in large numbers once he took the stage, a clear indication of dissatisfaction.
Governor Arati, who attempted to introduce the dignitaries, struggled to control the crowd as tension grew when Raila’s name was mentioned.
While the exact reasons for the hostility remain uncertain, the backlash comes just days after Raila signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), signaling potential political collaboration between ODM and UDA.
The agreement focused on key issues such as implementing the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, tackling youth unemployment, and enforcing the two-thirds gender rule.
Despite Raila’s assurance that the deal was designed to benefit Kenyans, it sparked widespread criticism. Political allies and supporters voiced their displeasure, with Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka branding the MoU as “the ultimate betrayal.”
Additionally, the discontent among Kisii residents may also be linked to Raila’s recent remarks about former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i’s political ambitions.
During a meeting in Kisii on March 6, Raila seemingly downplayed Matiang’i’s chances of winning a presidential election, stating that a candidate cannot rely solely on votes from a single ethnic group to secure the presidency.
“There is no such thing as a community producing a presidential candidate. One cannot be elected based on Kisii votes, Luo votes, Luhya votes, or even Mount Kenya votes,” Raila stated. “If you want to become president, you must win the support of Kenyans across the country.”
His statement did not sit well with a section of the Kisii community, leading to speculation that it may have contributed to the negative reception he received at the Gusii Stadium event.
As Raila left Kisii, the mixed reactions highlighted the shifting political landscape, raising questions about his influence in the region ahead of future political contests.
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