NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 2- Police have arrested 17 suspects over Raila Odinga’s chopper attack in Uasin Gishu County on Friday.
The National Police Service said the suspects were found with cash, in the denominations of Sh50, suggesting they had been facilitated.
Odinga had just left the burial of the late Mzee Jackson Kibor when his chopper and vehicles came under attack.
Police headquarters on Friday said the group that attacked Odinga and his team was “organized” but did not diverge many details on who was involved and whether there were intelligence reports on the same.
In a statement on Saturday, National Police Service spokesperson Bruno Shioso said the suspect’s mobile phones were confiscated and are set to undergo forensic analysis.
“The NPS reminds all that it is the right of every citizen to visit any part of the country,” Shioso said.
“We call upon political leaders and their supporters to accord accommodation and tolerance to each other including those of divergent views and opinions during this electioneering period.”
Earlier Friday, Odinga had held a series of rallies in Elgeyo Marakwet, where he marketed his presidential bid, while in the company of a host of leaders, among them legislator Junet Mohammed.
Odinga said the attack was a reminder of the 1992 elections and 2007-2008 post-election violence, that left thousands dead and hundreds of thousands displaced.
Odinga said Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago and Soy Member of Parliament Caleb Kositany were responsible.
“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.”
Mandago and Soy MP are among leaders who have condemned the incident and called for prompt action against the perpetrators.
On Saturday morning, Deputy President William Ruto apologised to Odinga over the incident.
The Deputy President, who hails from the County, termed the incident unfortunate, saying all those are behind it must be held accountable.
“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.
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