- Title: KENYA: PRESIDENT KENYATTA ATTACKS POLITICAL OPPONENTS AT MAY DAY RALLY
- Date: 2nd May 1966
- Summary: KENYATTA ARRIVING; WOMEN DANCING; CROWD; MAN WITH PLACARD; KENYATTA SPEAKING; FORMER MAU MAU LEADERS; WHITE WOMAN WAVING. Initials GEM/V/MR/MN Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 17th May 1966 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: NAIROBI, KENYA
- Country: Kenya
- Reuters ID: LVAA7QTN0YOQ4DTWFKUNKOY2J9ME
- Story Text: PRESIDENT JOMO KENYATTA TOLD AN ENTHUSIASTIC CROWD AT A MAY DAY RALLY NEAR NAIROBI YESTERDAY (SUNDAY, MAY 1) THAT HE HAD DECLARED WHAT HE CALLED TOTAL WAR ON THE POLITICAL OPPONENTS WHO RECENTLY RESIGNED FROM HIS RULING KENYA AFRICAN NATIONAL UNION.
PRESIDENT KENYATTA TOLD HIS CHEERING SUPPORTERS THAT HE LOVED PEACE, BUT THAT THERE COULD BE NO MORE SYMPATHY FOR TROUBLEMAKERS. HE SAID THAT HE WAS READY TO FIGHT DISSIDENTS WITH HIS FISTS.
THE PRESIDENT'S TOUGH SPEECH FOLLOWED A NUMBER OF RESIGNATIONS FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND THE RULING PARTY, WHICH IS THE ONLY LEGAL ONE IN KENYA. THE BREAK-AWAY GROUP IS LED BY THE FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT, MR. OGINGA ODINGA.
THE RESIGNATIONS HAVE LED PRESIDENT KENYATTA TO DISSOLVE THE KENYA PARLIAMENT, SO THAT HIS OPPONENTS WILL HAVE TO FIGHT FOR THEIR SEATS IN ELECTIONS.
THERE WERE A NUMBER OF FORMER MAU MAU LEADERS AT THE RALLY, AND THE PRESIDENT ACCUSED MR. ODINGA OF TRYING TO BRIBE THEM TO TURN AGAINST HIM. BUT, SAID THE PRESIDENT, THEY HAD REMAINED LOYAL.
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