NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 2- The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has linked three leaders to Friday’s violence against Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga, citing preliminary investigations.
Earlier, the National Police Service said 17 suspects had been arrested and were being questioned over the incident that saw Odinga’s chopper stoned, as well as his vehicles.
The suspects, police said were found with cash in Sh50 denomination. Their phones were taken for forensic analysis.
The DCI on Saturday said that after preliminary investigations, it has established that the attack was organized and coordinated by legislators Caleb Kositany, Oscar Sudi and Uasin Gishu County Assembly Speaker David Kiplagat.
The DCI said the attack was executed by incited youth, who in the process damaged Odinga’s helicopter windscreen.
There are no reports of injuries either on Odinga or among the host of leaders who had accompanied him.
The former Prime Minister had attended the burial of Mzee Jackson Kibor in Soy constituency when the incident happened.
The two legislators and the County Assembly speaker have been summoned to appear in person before Rift Valley Regional Coordinator on Sunday, April 3.
In a Tweet on Friday night, Soy MP Kositany said the incident had not been planned. The Tweet was accompanied by a series of pictures, where he was seen with Odinga and other leaders who had attended the burial.
Odinga had pointed an accusing finger at Uasin Gishu County Governor Jackson Mandago and Kositany.
“I call on the two, and all leaders from the region who believe in our constitution, to come out now, not later, to condemn the incident and promise an end to the bizarre attempts to balkanize the country into ethnic and tribal party zones ahead of August elections,” the Orange Democratic Movement leader said in a statement.
He added, “despite the violence meted on me and my team today, I remain optimistic that Kenya will hold a peaceful, free, and fair election in August.”
Governor Mandago condemned the incident, saying “we will pursue the matter until the perpetrators are all brought to book.”
“We have heavily invested in peacebuilding as a region, we will not allow a few elements to take us back. I urge the security apparatus in the region to act with speed and get to the bottom of the matter,” the Governor said in a Tweet.
“They should also be on the lookout during this charged political period.”
On Saturday morning, Deputy President William Ruto apologised to the former Prime Minister, who is also his main rival in the August 9 presidential poll, while committing to a peaceful electioneering period.
“I take this opportunity to apologise to Raila Odinga, for what happened to him yesterday. It was really unfortunate and I hope those who engaged in this incident regret what they did,” the Deputy President said during a press conference on Saturday.
He said UDA will work closely with police, to ensure the suspects are brought to book.
“We will demonstrate our commitment to an election that is peaceful by making sure we take the necessary steps to ensure all our members, all our candidates, and our entire party, engages in this election on the basis of ideas,” he asserted.
Odinga said the Friday incident is a dark reminder of Kenya’s darkest moments of 1992 clashes and the 2007-2008 post-election violence.
During the 2007-2008 violence, more than 1,000 lives were lost, while 600,000 Kenyans were internally displaced. It was after a disputed presidential outcome.
DP Ruto has in the past been a victim of political violence.
On November 10, 2021, Ruto’s tour of Kisumu was interrupted after rowdy youths booed and stoned his motorcade in Kondele area.
The fracas broke out at the Kondele roundabout as Ruto’s convoy approached.
Police headquarters said the incident was over “logistical funds amongst local groups.”
He has also been attacked in Kieni, Kenol, and Embakasi in Nairobi, during political rallies. The DP accused competitors of planning the violence.
Want to send us a story? Contact Shahidi News Tel: +254115512797 (Mobile & WhatsApp)
