Kathangu calls on Raila to intervene for victims of 1990 Saba Saba atrocities
By Luke Oluoch, July 7, 2025Retired politician and former Runyenjes MP Njeru Kathangu has urged Raila Odinga to engage President William Ruto on the plight of victims of the regime atrocities during the deadly Saba Saba rally of 1990 and the killings that ensued.
Speaking to a radio station on Monday, July 7, 2025, Kathangu, who was put in detention alongside the ODM leader, implored Raila to engage his proximity to the president and help address the pleas of the people who were involved in the movement 35 years ago.
“If it is possible because you are close to William Ruto, what about talking to him about addressing the many cries, hurts, and pains of the many people we have lost in these protests?” Kathangu proposed.
Kathangu also spoke on Raila’s decision after he came out on Sunday, July 6, 2025, to reveal that he will honour the Saba Saba heroes at the Kamukunji Grounds.
Njeru, who was instrumental in organising the rally leading to his incarceration by the regime 35 years ago alongside the likes of George Anyona and Raila’s father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, says the ODM politician is right to mark the day in his own way.
“Raila is right to go there. Kamukunji is a sacred and central ground for politicians and the push for multipartyism,” he stated.
Honour lost souls
“I would tell him, go there and remember the souls lost on that ground and those lost on Saba Saba in 1990,” he advised the ODM leader.
Meanwhile, the foregoing comes as former Cabinet Secretary Kipruto Arap Kirwa slammed the ODM leader over his proposal to honour the Saba Saba heroes.
Kirwa accused Raila of engaging in double-speak and attempting to play catch-up after realising the youth have gone past his leadership.
“Why does Raila have to get into this situation? He knows that young people have been doing it on their own; they don’t need him. He is playing double and being ambivalent in his stance. He is only trying to play catch-up,” he stated.
“He is not the Raila we knew; he was not even clear on what he would be doing to Kamukumji. How about the people killed and the women clamouring for the release of Kenyans and their children from detention?” he posed.