Former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugine Wamalwa has cautioned leaders calling for the arrest of former President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga over the ongoing mass action, saying such actions would be disastrous.
A section of Kenya Kwanza Members of Parliament asked the Inspector General of Japhet Koome to arrest the two leaders yesterday over the opposition’s demonstrations that paralysed business operations in Nairobi and Kisumu on Monday, March 20.
Responding to the MPs on Wednesday, Wamalwa dismissed the calls as ill-advised.
The former minister urged the Kenya Kwanza leaders to instead focus on addressing Azimio’s demands that include lowering the cost of living in the country.
“With juvenile KK advisors advocating for the arrest of the 4th President & 2nd PM of the Republic of Kenya &invasion of their property instead of lowering food prices,to that extent are we courting disaster!The hyena told the stone,even if you keep quiet,l know you have heard me,” the former CS said in a tweet.
With juvenile KK advisors advocating for the arrest of the 4th President & 2nd PM of the Republic of Kenya &invasion of their property instead of lowering food prices,to that extent are we courting disaster!The hyena told the stone,even if you keep quiet,l know you have heard me. pic.twitter.com/HYlRTeZuf0
— Eugene L. Wamalwa (@EugeneLWamalwa) March 22, 2023
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah had asked the police to assess the damage caused by Azimio supporters and charge Raila and his sponsors.
“We ask the IG of Police not just to arrest the small boys who are paid to riot. If the buck stops at the door of Odinga, go for Odinga. If the buck stops at his sponsor’s door, go for them,” Ichung’wah said in a joint statement.
The MPs said Raila went against the law by purporting to declare a Public Holiday on Monday, March 20, a mandate only bestowed on the Interior Cabinet Secretary.
They also alleged that Uhuru was sponsoring the demonstrations and should be held accountable for the destruction of property witnessed in Nairobi and Kisumu counties.
“Uhuru Kenyatta and his handshake brother Raila Odinga are planning the demonstrations to derail ongoing investigations on the crimes committed under the previous regime. What Raila is doing is only equivalent to what the bandits parts of North Rift are doing. Mr Odinga is involved in a scheme of urban banditry and he must be held to account,” Ichung’wah added.
“The buck stops with Raila and his sponsors, and they must be held to account for the destructions that took place during the protest.”
The ruling party, United Democratic Alliance (UDA), had its offices destroyed in protests that rocked Kisumu county on Monday.
The lawmakers said they would demand compensation for the damage from ODM, through the Registrar of Political Parties.
“Our Secretary-General will demand that the money meant for ODM be given to our party as compensation for the destruction that took place in the Kisumu office,” Ichung’wa disclosed.
