The United States has denied reports that it has revoked visas for Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro and his Kikuyu counterpart Kimani Ichungwa.
This follows reports that the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has revoked visas for the four politicians, for allegedly planning and sponsoring violence on Monday, March 27, 2023.
“These visa revocations demonstrate that the United States will promote accountability not only for regime leaders, but also for officials who enable the regime’s assaults on democracy and human rights,” the statement, termed as fake by the US, read in part.
The statement was confirmed as fake by US Embassy Nairobi Spokesman Andrew Veveiros, who spoke to a local media outlet.
“I can confirm that the report doing rounds is fake as there has been no such communication from the United States Government,” Veveiros said.
On Monday, March 27, 2023, several goons invaded the properties of former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga.
At Uhuru’s Northlands farm in Juja, the goods destroyed property of unknown value and carted away valuables from the farm, including domestic animals.
At Raila’s East Africa Spectre Ltd in the Industrial area, the attackers destroyed property of unknown value before leaving in a hush in what looked like organised crime.
It is not yet clear who organised the raid, which happened while Raila was leading anti-government protests in the city.
Azimio is protesting against what they say is a rigged victory in the 2022 presidential polls and the high cost of living among other reasons.
Gachagua’s reaction
On Wednesday, March 29, 2023, Gachagua called on leaders allied to the Azimio coalition to stop attacks against Ichung’wah and Nyoro.
The two legislators have in the past two days come under heavy criticism over alleged involvement in the planning of attacks on properties owned by Uhuru and Raila families.
speaking at Kangocho Secondary School in Mathira, Nyeri county, on Wednesday, Gachagua defended the two MPs, saying the opposition was being used to fight leaders from the Mount Kenya region.
He said Ichung’awa is a respected leader in Mt Kenya with a bright future and was only targeted by leaders keen to block his political success.
“The previous administration destroyed all leaders from Mt Kenya…they did not want any leader to emerge from this region. Kimani is a respected leader with a good brain and focus. He has a future. He is the second seniormost leader in this region after me and he has a responsibility to unite the leadership and defend economic interests of the people of this region,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua’s remarks came a day after Raila accused the two leaders of tarnishing the Mau Mau freedom fighters’ name.
Speaking at Kibra in Nairobi on Wednesday, Raila claimed that those planning to counter Azimio’s protests have been holding secret meetings at Gachagua’s residence in Karen.
He said the leaders were plotting violence against peaceful protesters.
“They have been meeting at Gachagua’s residence and we know their every plan. They will also meet today (Wednesday) to plan but we have people watching their moves,” Raila alleged.
Raila was in Kibra to meet religious leaders from the Muslim and Christain communities in the area, where a church and a mosque were burnt down on Monday night following violent clashes involving rival groups.
