Collage image of the chopper. |Courtesy| Junet Mohamed/Babu Owino Twitter|
Police in Uasin Gishu have arrested fourteen people in connection with the stoning of ODM leader Raila Odinga’s chopper at Kabenes in Soy Constituency, on Friday evening, April 1, 2022.
Confirming the reports, Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Stephen Kihara stated that the 14 will be arraigned on Monday, April 4 upon conclusion of investigations.
The police boss revealed that seven police officers had been deployed to provide security when Odinga arrived at Kabenes for the burial of prominent Uasin Gishu farmer Mzee Jackson Kibor.
Rowdy youth pelted the chopper and vehicles belonging to Odinga and his team with stones, damaging the helicopter's windshield in the process. Images shared by the former premier also indicated that other parts of the chopper were damaged as well.
The incident has since been condemned by leaders across the country as they call for political tolerance across the country ahead of the August 9 general elections.
The arrest comes after Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i ordered investigations into the incident.
In a statement on Friday, April 1, 2022, Matiang’i directed the police to investigate the matter fully and bring the culprits to account. The CS also assured that the people funding the chaos shall also be identified and prosecuted.
“My attention has been drawn to the stoning and the resultant damage of a helicopter and motor vehicles associated with the Azimio presidential candidate, Raila Odinga, during the funeral service of Mzee Jackson Kibor in Uasin Gishu County today.
File image of Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang’i. |Photo| Courtesy|
“I call upon the National Police Service (NPS) to investigate the matter and ensure that all the culprits and their masterminds are made to swiftly and decisively face the consequences of their criminal actions,” he stated.
Matiang’ai assured that security agencies will be deployed across the country to ensure that such incidents do not occur, referencing the 2007-2008 post-election violence where thousands lost their lives.
“The regrettable incident is a sad and atavistic reminder of the ugly face of violent political intolerance that our beloved motherland has worked hard to consign to the annals of a painful history in the last 14 years. I condemn this reprehensible and abhorrent act in the strongest terms possible,” read the statement in part.
Matiang’i’s statement came after NPS stated that Regional Commissioner for Rift Valley had been tasked with overseeing the investigations and arrest of the culprits.
“The Inspector-General of Police has issued firm instructions to the Rift Valley Regional Police Commander to urgently take decisive action against the perpetrators of today’s violence, including all those who will be implicated for planning and organizing the violence,” read the statement by NPS.
In a statement, Odinga pointed an accusing finger at Soy Member of Parliament Caleb Kositany and Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago for the attack melted against him and his camp.
The ODM leader called upon them to condemn and investigate the incident,
“For today’s unfortunate events, I hold Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandagor and Soy MP. Hon. Caleb Kositany responsible,” he said.
ODM Leader Raila Odinga and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed inspect the former premier’s chopper after it was pelted with stones. |Courtesy| Raila Odinga Twitter|
“I call on the two, and all leaders from the region who believe in our constitution, to come out now, not later, condemn the incident and promise an end to the bizarre attempts to balkanize the country into ethnic and tribal party zones ahead of August election.
“Despite the violence meted out on me and my team today, I remain optimistic that Kenya will hold a peaceful, free and fair election in August,” Odinga stated.
The former premier noted that the attack against him should worry every Kenyan keen to protect the freedom of speech, association and multipartysm that the country fought hard and long to get.
“The threat came in the form of youth; mobilized, armed and paid to cause mayhem and disorder, destroy property and even take away lives in a bid to create political zones in the country.
“In the event that took place at Kabenes in Uasin Gishu, youth attacked my plane, destroying the air shield with rocks that were clearly aimed at me. On my way to the plane, they had pelted my vehicles with stones. My mistake was to attend the burial of my long time friend Mr Jackson Kibor. I thank the security officers who did everything to ensure our safety,” Odinga stated.
The former premier noted that the attacks present a very dark reminder of what this country has witnessed before, particularly in the run-up to the 1992 elections and in the 2007-2008 polls.
“In the run up to August, someone seems to be assembling a ragtag band of extremist youths, radicalized by lies and handouts to zone the country before pushing us into mayhem,” Odinga alleged.
Governor Mandago and Kositany have since issued statements condemning the attack on Odinga and his team, calling upon law enforcement to investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book.
“I condemn with the strongest terms possible the act of violence directed at the former Prime Minister Rt Hon Raila Odinga after the burial of Mzee Jackson Kibor. Uasin Gishu is a peaceful county, we will pursue the matter until the perpetrators are all brought to book.
“We have heavily invested in peacebuilding as a region, we will not allow a few elements to take us back. I urge the security apparatus in the region to act with speed & get to the bottom of the matter. They should also be on the lookout during this charged political period,” Governor Mandago stated.
“Sorry about the chopper incident, it’s quite unfortunate. It wasn’t planned, just learnt about it on Twitter,” Kositany apologised.
From Left: Soy MP Caleb Kositany, ODM Leader Raila Odinga, and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed at the burial of Mzee Jackson Kibor at his home in Kabenes, Soy Constituency, Uasin Gishu County, on Friday, April 1, 2022. |Courtesy| MP Caleb Kositany Twitter|
