Politicians paid people to heckle Ida Odinga in Meru, event organisers say

Mama Ida's speech was cut short when the audience began shouting and chanting, forcing her to leave the ceremony visibly upset.

Sister Gemmah Mbui, the CWA coordinator, told The Standard that politicians present at the event were causing havoc.

"This was supposed to be a day of prayer. A politician had brought people with him to the event," she narrated the ordeal.

"It was decided that only Mrs Odinga would address participants so as to clear of politics during the event."

She went on to say that the decision to deny any politician access to the microphone enraged the crowds, and the incitements began, even warning the bishop in attendance, Bishop Salesius Mugambi, that a turn of events was imminent.

"I told Bishop that something has been planned. Then he told me nobody should speak except Ida. They were many and were moving in the crowd, making noise and incited some of the women," she said.

The invited guest was Ida Odinga, but the hostile crowd flatly refused to let her speak to them.

"I’m a mother like you,” she said as the crowd heckled and continued to chant.

The master of ceremony's attempts to bring calm were futile, as the crowd stood firm, expressing their disinterest in what she had to say.

North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood and Meru Senator Mithika Linturi were among those who attended the event.