President William Ruto’s visit to Moi Stadium, Mandera County has sparked heated debate with many Kenyans talking about the large number of security officers seen surrounding him during the rally in comparison to the number of the actual attendees.
Photos from the Mandera rally show Ruto surrounded by a strong presence of security personnel, including members from different units like the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), General Service Unit (GSU), and the Special Forces.
Some Kenyans quickly pointed out that there seemed to be more security officers than people at the rally, saying “Wameshinda waliohudhuria.” This has led to a lot of heated online discussions.
Kenyans began arguing that there were more security officers than the actual crowd that President William Ruto was addressing. Some people joked about it, saying the rally was more about protecting Ruto than actually speaking to the people.
This led to different opinions, with some defending the heavy security due to the ongoing threats from groups like Al-Shabaab, while others questioned if it was really necessary to have such a large security detail. Popular blogger and activist Cyprian Nyakundi also weighed in on the incident saying, “The photo says it all.”
The strong presence of security officers can be linked to the recent incidents in the area. Just days before Ruto’s arrival, five local chiefs were kidnapped by suspected militants. This attack was seen as an attempt to interfere with President Ruto’s visit.
Given these high security concerns, Ruto had promised to focus on improving safety in the region, telling the residents present that his Kenya Kwanza administration will do everything possible to end the insecurity. He even mentioned during his speech that he was not afraid of the threats and was ready to stay in Mandera as long as necessary.
Blogger Felicis Marshall added to the conversation by pointing out that Mandera does not have as large a population as some might think. Marshall claimed that most of the people at the rally were not locals but security officers brought in from security units.
He argued that only a small number of people from Mandera actually attended the event. This comment sparked more debate, with some agreeing with him and others defending the president’s need for extra protection in such a risky environment.
As President Ruto’s tour continues in the North-Eastern region, the debate over the size of the crowd and the role of security is likely to keep growing. While some support the president’s security measures, others still question the true turnout at the rally.
By tuko