Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga’s wife Ida Odinga on Saturday found herself in unfamiliar territories in the county of Meru.
Ida Odinga had attended a function by Catholic women where she revealed that she will always remain a staunch catholic throughout her life.
“A day of reflection and prayer at the Catholic Women Association’s special celebration of the annunciation in Meru County. I have and will always hold onto faith that has remained a steady compass throughout my life.” She stated after the event.
When she stood to give her speech, all was well until some goons masquerading as church women came from nowhere and started chanting Ruto. She tried to make her remarks but the hostile crowd could not allow her to continue.
“I’m a mother like you,” Ida appealed to them but all her efforts fell on deaf ears.
However, Sonko News has learnt from highly credible sources that most women attending the church function were hired by political opponents and given the catholic women’s uniform.
Their objective was one,- to heckle Ida Odinga and portray deputy president William Samoei Ruto as very popular in the Meru region.
So determined were these UDA goons wearing catholic uniforms that they did not care about being in a holy environment like the church. Even attempts by church leaders to calm them down fell on deaf ears as they continued to praise Ruto.
However, this move by Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to organize hecklers in church not only attracted criticisms but also left Kenyans asking why they had to drag the church in their dirty politics.
Besides, the netizens wondered why these UDA female goons had to heckle Ida Odinga who was not even a candidate in the presidential race. Others felt that they ought to have heckled Raila as opposed to Ida whom they invited to the function with the intention of heckling.
Below is what various Kenyans said about the Meru incident:
“What happened at the Meru CWA function was uncalled for especially because the women through their leadership must have invited Ida Odinga as their guest. Why invite a guest then heckle or boo them ? Probably a stage-managed affair for the sole purpose of political zoning which is unacceptable. We must reject politics of intimidation and thuggery, let everyone market their ideas without let of hindrance,” said Martha Karua.
“As a staunch Catholic, I expect the KCCB and especially the Bishop of Meru and the Priest who celebrated the mass to come out publicly and not only condemn the act but launch investigation on the same. It’s sacrilegious to shout like that in the presence of the body and blood of CHRIST. Don’t be surprised if CWA Meru is suspended for some time. Very shameless act.”
“He hired goons and gave them Catholic women Association uniforms to go and heckler Ida. This is an insult to Catholic women.”
“Mithika Linturi hired goons to Heckle First lady Ida Odinga in a church function in Meru. This is a new low of Ruto. Let him face Raila directly.The hired goons were chanting Ruto Ruto when Mama Ida Odinga stood to Deliver her moving speech. Ruto thinks has the monopoly of hiring goons. Let the game continue.”
“This is uncouth and quite barbaric. Ida Odinga is not Raila. I don’t think that there are still other places which people are still ignorant like. How is Ida’s mission attached to her husband and why were they inviting her?”
“Yes , the stage was managed yet it wasn’t a political arena. They should have kept and given her the pace to deliver her speech. Why woo and you call yourself a Catholic church woman, jinga sana.”
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