Malala Explains Why Top Opposition Leaders Skipped Gachagua’s JKIA Welcome
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) deputy leader Cleophas Malala has revealed why senior opposition figures were missing during former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s grand reception at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday.
Speaking on Friday, Malala said their absence was deliberate and aimed at avoiding clashes. He explained that intelligence reports indicated hostile groups were planning disruptions if all the leaders appeared at the same venue.
“Yesterday we made invitations to all the leaders in the United Opposition, and their not coming to the airport was strategic because we already had information that they would want to block all of us in one place, so we had agreed that the other principals would join us in the rally,” Malala clarified.
Malala dismissed claims of rifts in the opposition, stressing that leaders like Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang’i, Martha Karua, and Eugene Wamalwa skipped the airport reception only because it was organized as a DCP event. The main opposition show of unity, he said, was meant for the Kamukunji rally.
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“I know it is the wish of the other side for us to be divided but we want to assure our supporters that we are united today as you can see we had planned to go and watch the Harambe Stars match but we’ve received a lot of intimidation and a lot of police have been deployed to block us,” Malala added.
The clarification followed Gachagua’s much-anticipated return from a six-week stay in the United States. He landed at JKIA around midday to a huge reception. Thousands of supporters, mostly youth, had camped at the airport from morning, waving banners and chanting slogans in DCP party colors.
Nyandarua Senator John Methu and Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa were among the leaders who welcomed Gachagua at the airport, underscoring the strong backing he enjoys within his camp.
However, the celebration was disrupted along Mombasa Road near City Cabanas. Groups of rowdy youths pelted stones at the convoy carrying Gachagua and allied politicians, sparking chaos. Several people, including journalists, sustained injuries in the fracas.
Malala Explains Why Top Opposition Leaders Skipped Gachagua’s JKIA Welcome
