Migori Interdenominational Prayer Service Disrupted as Local Politics Play Out in Public

• Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro were caught in the middle of local politics in Nyatike on Sunday, July 13
• The two were in the constituency for an interdenominational prayer meeting when rowdy youths clashed
• The incident, which disrupted the service, was sparked by the area MCA’s attempt to access the podium after arriving late

An interdenominational prayer meeting in Nyatike sub-county, Migori county, was temporarily disrupted on Sunday, July 13.

The meeting had been attended by several high-ranking government officials led by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro.

Rivalry between Tom Odege and Macalder Kanyarwanda MCA

All was well at the event until Felix Okwanyo, the area Member of County Assembly, arrived.

Despite arriving late, the Macalder Kanyarwanda MCA tried to force his way to the main podium, leading to chaos as youths supporting him clashed with those allied to Nyatike Member of Parliament Tom Odege and Migori Governor Ochillo Ayacko.

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The incident forced organisers to suspend the event for about half an hour as leaders attempted to calm down the rowdy youths.

Migori senator Eddy Oketch, who was the host of the event, had to intervene to restore calm. He noted that some guests who had not yet arrived had already changed their minds and cancelled plans to attend.

“Our youths, let’s not be used by politicians. We came here to bring you money, so please calm down and don’t scare away my guests,” Oketch pleaded with the youths.

“We had guests who were following online as they were coming, like Farouk Kibet and with this fracas you’ve caused here, they have said they are not coming out of fear," he added.

The youthful legislator also expressed the need for peace and unity, even as he asked those seeking to play politics to wait for the right time.

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Cause of rivalry between Tom Odege and Macalder Kanyarwanda MCA

The chaos is said to be related to the Macalder Kanyarwanda MCA’s alleged plan to vie for the Nyatike parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election. It’s a claim that the MCA finally confirmed.

“I am here to make my intentions clear. I am a Kenyan citizen and I am eyeing the Nyatike constituency seat,” Okwanyo said.

When the event resumed, Migori governor Ochillo Ayacko called for a peaceful coexistence amongst all the locals irrespective of their preferred leader for the 2027 polls.

He also expressed the need for politics to be kept away from the church.

“When we are at the church, let’s humble ourselves before the Lord. Whoever wages war at the church is waging war at God, and for sure, the Lord will give what you want,” Ayacko noted.

Political temperatures in Migori have been building up ahead of the 2027 General Election as politicians strategise on a plan to win the seats they are eying.

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Is Ayacko sidelining Uriri sub-county?

Previously, TUKO.co.ke reported that a section of elders in Migori county has expressed concerns over Uriri sub-county being sidelined.

The elders lamented that their efforts to meet Governor Ochill Ayacko over the matter had hit a snag.

However, the county insisted that no sub-county had been sidelined in development projects as claimed by the elders.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke