ODM Leader and presidential candidate of Azimio La Umoja Raila Odinga took his campaigns to Wajir County on March 9 alongside prominent leaders from the region.
Mr Odinga has long enjoyed political support from the region’s leaders, and the region is regarded as one of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party’s strongholds.
Following the former Prime Minister’s rally on Tuesday, a video surfaced online that appeared to show the presidential candidate using the divisive political slur “madoadoa.”
“Hatutaki madoadoa katika kaunti ya Wajir, tunataka viongozi wote wachagulie ndani ya Azimio,” Raila stated.
Madoadoa, a Swahili word that means “spots,” became a derogatory term following Kenya’s post-election violence in 2007/2008.
In metropolitan towns across the country, the term had been used to incite ethnic communities to turn against members of other communities.
The video’s authenticity is yet to be determined.
Earlier this year, Meru Senator Mithika Linturi Linturi also found himself in hot soup after using the same ‘madoadoa’ remarks during a UDA rally in Eldoret.
Though Linturi apologised and clarified that he meant voters should not vote in leaders outside Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), the Senator spent some nights in custody. He has since been set free.
Section of Kenyans now wants Raila to be taken through the same court process.
