Azimio la Umoja Presidential flag-bearer Raila Odinga's wife, mama Ida Odinga, was on Saturday, March 26, heckled by a hostile crowd despite being an invited guest at a women's event.
Mama Ida Odinga, while gracing the Catholic Women Association prayer day in Meru County, tried to make her remarks but the hostile crowd refused to be addressed by her.
"I'm a mother like you," Ida stated but the crowd grew hostile with heckles and chants filling the air.
"Please, let's hear the speaker," the emcee could be heard trying to calm down the crowd in vain.
Meru Senator Mithika Linturi, who was also in attendance, tried to calm the crowd but his efforts bore no fruit.
Mama Ida Odinga took to twitter after the event- terming it as a moment of reflection.
"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 noted.
The unprecedented turn of events was condemned by Azimio proponents including NARC-Kenya party leader Martha Karua who alleged that the move was politicised in a bid to use intimidation tactics.
"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," she stated.
"We must reject politics of intimidation and thuggery, let everyone market their ideas without let of hindrance," she added.
This comes days after Meru Governor, Kiraitu Murungi was embarrassed in the presence of his wife by a seemingly unhappy crowd. The county's First Lady met a hostile congregation that disagreed with her that the governor had delivered his 2017 election promises.
Mrs Murungi asked the crowd to raise their hands if they were going to vote for the governor to serve a second term in the August polls, but the congregation remained unmoved.
"You cannot embarrass the man in the presence of his wife. When the wife is around, the man is given a little respect but if the wife is not present, you can tell him anything."
"Because when I go home, I want her to realize that I am a man and I don't think we have done well there. So I am asking please, even those who will not vote for me to at least give my wife a clap," governor Murungi urged the crowd.
