The ODM Embakasi branch has called for calm and peaceful political engagement ahead of the Linda Mwananchi rally scheduled for tomorrow at Jacaranda Grounds.
Embakasi East Organising Secretary Julius Owino Majimaji urged political leaders, youths and supporters to exercise restraint and tolerance, saying the party remains committed to peaceful democratic engagement.
Majimaji said the ODM leadership, including Secretary General Catherine Omanyo, Nairobi County Chairman George Aladwa and Embakasi East Chairman Thomas Omullo, had authorised him to communicate the party’s position on the planned rally.
He dismissed claims that ODM members were planning to disrupt the event, insisting that the party had no interest in fuelling violence.
“We have been given authority by ODM leadership, led by Party Secretary General Catherine Omanyo, ODM Nairobi County Chairman George Aladwa and Chairman Thomas Omullo, to communicate this. We want to make it clear that there is no purported violence or planned disruption of the Linda Mwananchi rally tomorrow,” Majimaji said.
He said it would be contradictory for ODM to organise violence against Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who remains an ODM MP despite his participation in political activities under another political outfit.
“Hon. Babu Owino is our ODM MP and we are in the same party, so ODM cannot participate in orchestrating violence against his meeting, even if he is in another political outfit. We believe in one value: peace and democracy, and that is what Raila Odinga taught us,” he said.
Majimaji further appealed to political supporters to avoid confrontations and any actions that could undermine peace or disrupt the rally.
Babu Owino is expected to lead the Linda Mwananchi brigade during the Jacaranda Grounds event, which has drawn considerable political attention.
The Embakasi East MP has invited both political and non-political guests to attend the rally and contribute their views.
“All guests are welcome, whether political or not. Come share your ideas and minds. We shall also have our day, and we shall let Mwananchi decide,” Owino said.
Owino had earlier raised concerns over possible attempts by political opponents to disrupt the rally. He warned individuals he described as goons against interfering with the event and called for the gathering to be allowed to proceed peacefully.
