Kisumu county commissioner John Elungata leads celebrations to mark the 53rd anniversary of Madaraka Day at Jomo Kenyatta Sports
Kisumu leaders including Governor Jack Ranguma skipped the county's Madaraka Day celebrations for Raila Odinga's rally in Nairobi.
Others who skipped the festivities on Wednesday were deputy governor Ruth Odinga, Senator Anyang' Nyong'o. Area MPs, MCAs, and other ODM officials were also absent.
But county commissioner John Elungata, who led the 53rd fete and addressed the gathering, said the leaders have good intentions.
“Most of the leaders told us we stand together so there is nothing to worry about,” he said at Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground.
Elungata assured adequate security during a Kisumu prayer rally on Thursday for victims of anti-IEBC protests. He said the business community will receive alerts from police officers.
Cord leaders from Nyanza had beenurged to boycott the Kisumu celebrations. The call was attributed to last Monday's killing of three residentsduring protests in Siaya and Kisumu counties.
Members of the public argued that they could not share the same podium with those they accuse of shedding blood.
Nyakach MP Aduma Owuor had said: “We will be watching the Uhuru Park rally keenly. No ODM leader will attend the celebrations in Cord counties in Nyanza."
"We will not talk to the governors but will let them use their conscience and read the mood of the coalition and Kenyans."
Raila, who is Cord leader, Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka and Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang'ula will lead 80 MPs and senators in the prayer rally.
Raila and Wetang'ula three snubbed the Nakuru celebrations to which President Uhuru Kenyatta had invited them. Kalonzo joined them from China in addressing charged crowds on the need to disband the IEBC.
Kisumu ODM chairman Ayiecho Olweny, the leader of a committee in charge of the interdenominational rally, said it will be led by clergy and will be peaceful.
“We want to mourn victims of the demos who died as a result of gun-shot wounds,” said Olweny.
He said four people who were injured in chaos that resulted are admitted at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital
