ODM party leader Raila Odinga endured a mixed reception on Sunday, March 9 as a large section of residents openly jeered him during an event at the Gusii Stadium.
Raila was in Kisii county for the official launch of Shabana FC's new kits in an event attended by several dignitaries including Kisii Governor Simba Arati, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, and ODM youth league member Kasmuel MCOure.
Despite the area traditionally being one of Raila's political strongholds, the ODM party boss had to endure a volatile crowd, who cheered and heckled at his presence, almost in equal measure.
Images and videos obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed sections of the crowd at the Gusii Stadium shouting down the former Prime Minister, while others resorted to anti-Ruto chants.
Notably, Governor Arati had a difficult time calming the crowd as he attempted to introduce the dignitaries present at the event, with the crowd turning restless when Raila's name was mentioned.
In an unexpected turn of events, residents could also be seen walking out of the stadium in large numbers once Raila took to address those present, in what was an open show of disapproval.
While it remains unclear why Raila was subjected to such hostility, the latest show of discontent from members of the public came just two days after the ODM leader famously signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) work together.
Among the key agreements reached between the two leaders are the full implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, addressing youth unemployment, and the implementation of the two-third gender rule.
Despite Raila assuring that the move was supposed to benefit Kenyans, it still sparked a wave from criticism from the public and leaders, including Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who termed the MoU as "the ultimate betrayal".
Further, hostilities from the Kisii bloc is also believed to have stemmed from one of Raila's latest comments, where he appeared to play down former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i's chances of becoming president.
During one of his consultative meetings in Kisii county on March 6, Raila suggested Matiang'i would have an uphill task in flooring Ruto since he could not be elected based on votes from one community.
“There’s nothing like a community producing a candidate. Someone running for the presidency of Kenya cannot be elected based on Kisii votes, Luo votes, Luhya votes, or even Mount Kenya votes," the ODM boss stated. “If you want to be elected, you will be elected by Kenyans generally."
