Kenyans recoiled with anger over the terror unleashed on three Orange leaders at Roads minister Mr Simeon Nyachae’s harambee in South Mugirango on Friday. The outrage was directed at the attack by thugs carrying bows, arrows and metal rods as the minister and police watched.

Anti-riot police officers can barely keep a straight face as they play the unexpected role of pallbearers by carting away an empty coffin with Cabinet minister, Mr Simeon Nyachae’s name scribbled on it. The protest prop, used instead of an effigy, was abandoned at the GPO roundabout, Nairobi, by a group of Gusii university and college students demonstrating against the violence in Kisii. Picture byBoniface Okendo

There anti-Nyachae demos in Mombasa, where his effigy was burnt, and in Nairobi, by a few youths carrying a white coffin on which was inscribed his name. In Nakuru Ford-People branch officials resigned en masse in protest, to join ODM.

The Government on the other hand gave a strong signal political thuggery would not be tolerated. Though Ruto and Magara were discharged, a parliamentary aspirant Mr Chris Bichage, who was also injured, was still at the Nairobi Hospital.

Among those who spoke out were Internal Security Minister, Mr John Michuki, ODM presidential candidate Mr Raila Odinga, ODM-Kenya presidential aspirant, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka and Ford-Kenya chairman Mr Musikari Kombo. Faithful who attended peace prayers at KICC on Friday, when President Kibaki warned against election violence, also condemned the assault.

Raila called for action against Nyachae over the attacks. "Nyachae should be arrested and prosecuted. He belongs in the jail," said Raila outside the hospital. He visited the politicians on arrival from the US in onSaturday morning. Though Nyachae has bore the brunt of the attack his position was that the politicians ‘invaded’ his meeting.

"We talked to the local DC and Magara talked to him several minutes before we landed and he assured us everything was well," Ruto told Raila.

"When we found out that, that there was no way out for us, just by the grace of God, a car came from nowhere to our rescue. We did not know the owner of the car," Ruto added. Magara said: "I thought of what to do, something told me to give the youths money. I then offered one of them the money I had in my pocket. When they saw that man run away with the money, they left me and started chasing him. That’s when I escaped," he said

Raila condemned the act, saying such acts of violence had no place in a democracy. "This should not be allowed to happen, the Government should take responsibility for what happened to these MPs," Raila said. Raila said the incident had shown that the old style of Kanu days had crept back into the current Government. "Its such a paradox that the same Nyachae who attacked me in Keroka while campaigning for Kibaki (in 2002) is the same person behind these attacks. But this time he is supporting Kibaki," Raila noted.

Musyoka who visited the injured on Friday night said he would convene a meeting for presidential contenders. "We as the keypresidential candidates must be ready to guide our supporters. We must say no to violence,’’ said Kalonzo.

He condemned the Kisii skirmishes, and the Busia incident where hostile youths heckled him on Friday. "It breaks my heart to see youths aiming arrows at a human being and not animals,’’ said Musyoka. Kombo said politicians should know they are competitors and not opponents or enemies and they should welcome each other. "Kenyans should not fight because of politics and politicians should overcome their excitement during campaigns," he said.

"That was not a coincidence, it was something planned and they should be restricted," said Belgut Mr Charles Keter. He called for calm, saying the action was an isolated case, and did not have the blessings of Nyachae’s community. "Those behind this should be restricted and the Abagusii should not be condemned for the acts of a few people," Kombo added.

The Democratic Party condemned the attacks and called on the Government to arrest the perpetrators of the violence. Mr George Nyamweya, the secretary general, said: "Anyone should be free to associate freely and no one has a right to prevent anyone from visiting any part of the country." The chairman of Inter-religious Forum, the Anglican Archbishop the Reverend Benjamin Nzimbi said it was a shame that while others were working for peaceful campaigns, others were sowing seeds of violence.

He told political leaders to tell their supporters that they do not support violence. "Nyachae is not above the law and should be arrested for inciting the youths into violence," said Nominated MP Mr Franklin Bett. South Rift Law Society of Kenya branch Secretary Gideon Mutai demanded that the Government provides adequate security to Opposition leaders."The attack on Ruto and Magara was barbaric and is even worse considering that Nyachae, a minister, backed attackers," he claimed.

Kones calmed angry ODM supporters in Kericho town who threatened to burn down Sansora Building, which Nyachae owns. An ODM aspirant for the Kuria parliamentary seat Mr Chaacha Mwita condemned the attack and promised his party if elected, would ensure security prevails for all. The Law Society of Kenya said: "It is disheartening that this violence occurred in an event that was presided by two Cabinet ministers."

The chairman Mr Okongo Omongeni said in a statement: "We shudder to imagine what would become of this country if all political leaders adopted such myopic and war mongering idiosyncrasies." He called on the police commissioner to arrest the perpetrators. Speaking for over 35,000 Kenyans in the US and Canada, the chairman of the ODM group in Northern America, Mr Isaac Robert, said the situation portrayed Kenya negatively.

"This is happening even before Parliament is dissolved, what will happen when campaigns officially starts? It is unfortunate of leaders like Nyachae," he wondered. The East African Law Society called on the Government to take stern action against the perpetrators of violence. "We are waiting to see what action police are going to take as it is going to indicate how they intend to deal with violence,’’ he said.