Encounter Between Azimio, UDA Convoys in Nairobi Slum Goes Viral

From left, Kenya Kwanza presidential candidate Deputy President Willian Ruto and Azimio La Umoja flag bearer Raila Odinga during campaign rally in Nairobi.
From left, Kenya Kwanza presidential candidate Deputy President Willian Ruto and Azimio La Umoja flag bearer Raila Odinga during campaign rally in Nairobi.

An encounter between Azimio and UDA supporters in Nairobi's Mathare slum - an area perceived to be a stronghold of Raila Odinga's ODM party - has gone viral barely hours to the August 9, General Election.

In the footage seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the convoys of the two factions met as they snaked through the slum, with the supporters aboard the vehicles demonstrating commendable political maturity and tolerance to each other.

Both Azimio and UDA fans exchanged pleasantries and shared handshakes while still chanting the names of their respective presidential candidates.

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Kenyans lauded the supporters for displaying political maturity despite the rivalry between Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto.

They described them as the epitome of patriotic citizens and called on their compatriots to borrow a leaf from their noble actions in a bid to maintain peace ahead of the August 9 polls.

"The level of political maturity kwa ground is much higher than the maturity among the politicians. During and after these elections we will remain neighbors, friends, workmates and family members regardless of who we choose to vote for," Andrew Ndambuki remarked.

"This is my prayer for Kenya - that we can coexist despite our political affiliation, religious beliefs," Rhoda Ngare stated.

The public reiterated calls for the electorate not to allow themselves to be used by candidates  as pawns to fight their battles at their expense.

With Raila and Ruto having held their final campaigns on Saturday, August 6, they now bank on their supporters to turn out in large numbers and cast ballots in their favour.

Both leaders have pledged to accept the outcome of the poll and work with whoever the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declares as the winner.

The high-stake election coupled with Kenya's role in the region, has caught the attention of the international community with various organizations and countries sending representatives as election observers.

Notable observers already in the country ahead of the exercise include former Ugandan Presidential candidates Kizza Besigye and Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine.

 

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