Mandago, Kositany to blame for chopper attack - Raila
ODM leader Raila Odinga's chopper was pelted with stones by rowdy youth at the burial of late Uasin Gishu billionaire Mzee Jackson Kibor at his Soy home on Friday, April 1, 2022.
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.
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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|[/caption]
"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 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 peace building 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 into 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.
[caption id="attachment_16114" align="alignnone" width="810"]
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|[/caption]
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|[/caption]
"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 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 peace building 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 into 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.
[caption id="attachment_16114" align="alignnone" width="810"] 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|[/caption] What's Your Reaction?
