Published on March 12, 2025 by KON KON
Last Updated on 1 year by KON KON
Mathare Member of Parliament Anthony Tom Oluoch faced a hostile home crowd yesterday, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, as he was heckled in his Mathare constituency by his irate electorate in front of President William Ruto.
Olouch was heckled during the President’s visit to Mathare when he encountered a furious crowd from his constituency chanting, “Olouch Must Go!”
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki had allowed the MP to speak, but as soon as he was handed the microphone, the audience became hostile and jeered him.
Olouch continued his speech, unaware of what was going on around him, as Ruto, Kindiki, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris, and nominated Senator Karen Nyamu watched. In videos doing rounds, Sakaja is seen attempting to calm the agitated crowd but to no avail.
The gathering became more furious as the chanting became louder, and Oluoch ended his brief address and handed over the microphone to another leader.
But why was Oluoch, a second-term Mathare MP heckled in his backyard?
The lawyer, who has been MP since 2017 has steadily fallen out of touch with his constituents as he is only seen on television and newspapers analyzing national politics at the expense of delivering his promises to the people of Mathare.
In his place, Mabatini Member of the Nairobi County Assembly (MCA) Wilfred Odalo has turned into the people’s darling.
Olouch is not new to controversy. In July 2023, Oluoch was arrested and accused of subversive acts.
He had organized the public to take part in anti-government demonstrations. He was represented by a team of 20 lawyers and then released on bail.
The Mabatini MCA, who serves as the Nairobi County Assembly Budget, Finance, and Appropriation Committee chairman has stepped into the big leadership shoes for the people of Mathare coming in handy even as the MP goes missing.
Hon Wilfred Odalo, MCA Mabatini ward
A spot check indicates that Odalo is now more popular on the ground than Oluoch owing to his availability to the Mathare residents which resonates well with the electorate.
“When the government was demolishing our houses in Mathare River, our MP (Oluoch) was laughing with them but MCA Odalo stood with us. I come FROM Mlango Kubwa but the Mabatini MCA fought for my rights as a resident of Mathare. He is my leader,” Agnes Mueni, a resident of Mlango Kubwa told this reporter.
Odalo has endeared himself to the residents of Mathare by being easily available to people even beyond his ward.
In 2024, Oluoch was faced with a similar predicament after Mathare residents threatened to send away relief food given to them if it was associated with MP Oluoch.
Oluoch faced heckling from residents during a food donation distribution event at the Mathare DCC office in Mabatini ward.
The event, led by ODM deputy leader leaders then, now cabinet secretaries Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya, took an unexpected turn when Oluoch attempted to address the crowd.
As Hon Oluoch began to speak, the residents expressed their dissatisfaction by booing him and chanting for Wilfred Oluoch Odalo instead.
The crowd demanded Odalo’s presence, chanting, “We want Odalo, we want Odalo, we don’t want you here… Let the food go, ” urging MP Oluoch to leave.
The residents emphasized their desire to be addressed by their area MCA, Wilfred Oluoch Odalo, who was not present at the venue.
The incident disrupted the food distribution exercise, highlighting underlying tensions and grievances within the community. The Mabatini ward MCA Odalo popularly known as aka Rafuok has been MCA for 15 years.
