Two ODM Members of Parliament in Turkana have condemned the chaos that erupted at the Turkana Tourism and Cultural Festival on Friday.
Turkana North's Ekuwam Nabuin and his Turkana South counterpart John Namoit blamed the county's top leadership for the unfortunate turn of events that led to Opposition leader Raila Odinga being denied a chance to address the crowd.
Chaos erupted at the festival when the programme was prolonged with the traditional dances taking too long before the start of speeches.
The crowd charged when MCAs started to lecture Raila on how he has considered Turkana for nominations.
Ekuwam said Raila and the Azimio team gone to celebrate the Turkana Cultural Festival but things did not go as planned because of pre-planned chaos.
"We want to register our apologies to the people of Turkana, our leader Raila and visitors over the incident that happened," he said.
The MP claimed that for the first time, delegates from Uganda did not attend the event because of hostilities created by some leaders with their neighbours across the border.
"It's unfortunate our pastoralists cannot now cross the border to neighbouring countries in search of water and pasture," he said.
Namoit said former Turkana Governor and who now serves as Chief of Staff at State House Josphat Nanok and Raila championed for the inception of Turkana Cultural Festival which has been embraced nationally.
He said Raila didn't require anybody's invitation to attend the Tobongu'lore festival that brings all people back home.
Namoit called on the executive of the ODM party to take the necessary action against leaders who orchestrated the chaos at the cultural event.
Beatrice Askul, a Turkana ODM official, said Raila deserves respect not humiliation because he's an African leader who has fought for democracy and devolution the country enjoys today.
Raila condemned Friday's incident after leaving the event and blamed his woes on a senior county leader.
"I lead a political party and when I come people want me to talk. It's stupidity to deny me an opportunity to speak to people," the Azimio leader said during a brief press conference at the Lodwar Airstrip.
The ODM leader said he enjoys a lot of support and he doesn't need anybody's invitation to visit Turkana.
He was accompanied by Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa, George Wajackoyah, Jeremiah Kioni, Godfrey Osotsi, Caleb Amis, Peter Munya, Mwangi Wa Iria and Carol Karugu former Deputy Governor of Nyeri.
Raila assured his supporters that he will go back to Turkana soon for a political rally.
