Raila Odinga Announces Last-Minute Venue Change for Mombasa BBI Rally
Opposition leader Raila Odinga announced a sudden change in venue for the upcoming rally of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) in Mombasa, moving the location from Tononoka Grounds to Mama Ngina Waterfront Park.
The decision came after consultations between Odinga’s party and regional leaders, who cited security and logistical concerns for the shift. According to reports, the new location offers easier access for policing and crowd control.
While the change sparked some controversy among local MPs and party members, it proceeded smoothly with Odinga appealing to supporters to maintain calm and orderly conduct at the event.
The venue switch underscores the political sensitivity surrounding the BBI rallies in Kenya’s coastal region, where tensions between supporters and opponents of the reform initiative have been heightened. Analysts suggest that the move may have been strategic not only for logistical reasons but also to pre-empt potential disruptions and ensure broad participation.