Reuben Ndolo, a member of the Linda Mwananchi movement, has claimed that Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna sent him to recruit and ferry youths from parts of western Kenya ahead of Raila Odinga’s first anniversary memorial in Bondo, adding a new twist to allegations of organised disruption at the event.
Ndolo’s remarks come a day after Mama Ida Odinga accused some ODM leaders of ferrying goons from Homa Bay to the memorial, where several guests were reportedly booed and intimidated.
Speaking in Nairobi at a church service attended by Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino on Sunday, Ndolo said he had mobilised youths from Busia, Luanda in Vihiga County and Bondo in Siaya County.
“Walimtisha sana kwamba akienda huko ataona. Lakini yeye ni mwanamume. Alinituma, tukafanya mkutano, nikaenda mbele. Nikafanya kila kazi. Nikaenda Busia nikachukua vijana, Luanda pale kwa nyanya yangu nikachukua vijana. Bondo nikachukua vijana. Sasa mliona vile mambo iliwaka huko,” Ndolo said.
His remarks have drawn attention to the question of who mobilised the youths whose presence and conduct became a source of controversy during the October 15 memorial at Kang’o ka Jaramogi.
On Saturday, Ida apologised to guests who were booed and intimidated during the ceremony, expressing concern over the incidents at an event meant to honour the legacy of her late husband, the former Prime Minister.
She accused some ODM leaders of bringing goons from Homa Bay, suggesting that the disruption was not merely spontaneous crowd behaviour but involved organised mobilisation.
