KANU Party chairperson Gideon Moi has spoken over the recent invasion of private properties belonging to former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga.
In a statement, Moi called on Kenyans to avoid the destruction of property, even as they exercise their right of picketing.
“Even as we exercise the right to picket under Article 37, we must all be emphatic in denouncing the destruction of private property in any part of this country, be it a stall, shop, supermarket or even farm,” Gideon Moi stated.
On Monday, unknown people invaded Uhuru’s family farm in Ruiru, destroying property and stealing valuables including domestic animals.
On the same day, goons attacked Raila’s East Africa Spectre Ltd in Industrial Area, destroying property of unknown value.
The former Baringo Senator has also called on Kenyans to desist from engaging in religious animosity, which was witnessed in Kibra.
“We must come to a common understanding as a nation that our different political inclinations should not degenerate into religious animosity as recently witnessed in parts of Kibra Constituency, Nairobi County,” he added.
“Our constitution acknowledges the supremacy of the Almighty God in the Preamble and the freedom of religion, thus reaffirming the importance of religious tolerance despite our beliefs.”
On Monday night, the political tensions in the country regenerated into the burning of a church and a mosque in Nairobi’s Kibra area, after residents clashed.
Gideon Moi’s silence
Despite being in the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition party which is leading anti-government protests in the country, Gideon Moi has been silent in the past few months. He has not taken part in the last two protests, with the opposition leader Raila Odinga not mentioning him in his speeches.
On Tuesday, March 28, 2023, KANU Secretary-General George Wainaina termed the incident as disturbing and alleged that the attack was sponsored by politicians affiliated with the Kenya Kwanza government.
“It must not be lost on Kenyans that the incursion was preceded by incitement remarks recently made by a section of politicians against former President Uhuru Kenyatta on account that he is covertly financing the ongoing mass action organized by the Azimio Coalition,” the statement reads in parts.
Wainaina called out the politicians aforementioned noting that they should stop using the retired Head of State to divert public attention whenever serious concerns are addressed.
“We urge politicians to stop using former President Uhuru Kenyatta as a bogeyman to divert public attention whenever serious concerns are raised over the cost of living; implementation of austerity measures to cut down extravagant public expenditure, and equitable distribution of national resources and opportunities,” he stated.