Gov Mandago Calls On Police To Probe Odinga’s Attack Incident, Ensure Perpetrators Are Brought To Book

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 2- Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago has called on police to move with speed, and probe the attack directed on Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga on Friday.

Odinga, who had attended the burial of the late mzee Jackson Kibor, is said to have come under attack, with his chopper and vehicles being stoned.

Mandago, whom the former Prime Minister said should be held responsible for the violence, said “we will pursue the matter until the perpetrators are brought to book.”

“I condemn with the strongest terms possible the act of violence directed at the former Prime Minister Rt Hon Raila Odinga after the burial of Mzee Jackson Kibor,” the Governor said in a Tweet.

Over the years, Mandago said the County has invested heavily in peacebuilding, saying he will not allow the gains to be swept away by the actions of elements.

“I urge the security apparatus in the region to act with speed and get to the bottom of the matter. They should also be on the lookout during this charged political period,” he said.

We have heavily invested in peace building 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 & get into the bottom of the matter. They should also be on the lookout during this charged political period.

— Senator Jackson Mandago, EGH (@GvnMandago) April 1, 2022

Soy Member of Parliament Caleb Kositany, termed the incident as unfortunate while saying it was not planned.

Police headquarters had said the incident was planned.

The Member of Parliament posted pictures of him and a host of leaders who had accompanied Odinga.

With Raila,Junet and Babu at Mzee Kibor’s burial.
Sorry about the chopper incident,it’s quite unfortunate.
It wasn’t planned,just learnt about it on twitter. pic.twitter.com/kpKOdtxcYe

— Hon Caleb Kositany (@ckositany) April 1, 2022

Odinga had said Mandago and Kositany were responsible for the violence.

“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.”

This must stop. pic.twitter.com/zznAjgR865

— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) April 1, 2022

Deputy President William Ruto condemned the incident, saying political violence was a threat to democracy.

Every politician has the right to sell their agenda in every part of the country. We should listen, evaluate their policies and then decide whom to support. Political violence is retrogressive, divisive and tears down our democracy. We condemn and reject it without reservation.

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) April 1, 2022

A team of detectives has since been deployed in the area, in a bid to identify those who participated in the attack and ensure they are brought to book.

Today during a visit by the former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga to condole with the family and friends of the late Jackson Kibor during his burial in Eldoret, organized rowdy youths stoned the helicopter and vehicles ferrying him and his entourage.

— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) April 1, 2022