Residents flee Naivasha ahead of Saba Saba rallies

Anxiety has gripped Naivasha town ahead of the planned Saba Saba rally by CORD with tens of families leaving the town.

The families have in the last one week left the town expressing fears that violence could erupt after the rally which will be held on Monday next week.

Majority of those fleeing are flower farm workers from Western Kenya saying that they will return after the CORD rally.

At the main Naivasha bus terminus, it was a beehive of activity as the families with their personal effects boarded buses heading up country despite assurance by local leaders that all was well.

According to one of those fleeing Judy Odour who was also a victim of the 2007/8 post election violence, the town was tense and they did not want to take chances. Carrying her two babies and personal effects, she said that if chaos broke out it would be the poor who would suffer as the rich escaped from the country.

“We are leaving this town as we fear that chaos could break out and the 2008 violence was an example to us and we cannot wait for Saba Saba day,” she said.

Speaking on phone, Naivasha deputy county commissioner Silvano Mutembei assured all area residents that security was tight and there was no need to flee.

“We have heard reports that people are fleeing in Naivasha but we want to assure them that all is well and there is nothing to fear,” he affirmed.

The Star