Oct 05, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — Following the incident at Kenol, Murang’a, yesterday morning that led to death of two Kenyans, the opposition leader, Hon. Raila Odinga, calls on politicians to stop early campaigns for elections that are two years away.
The incident happened yesterday, October 4th, when Deputy President William Ruto was heading to African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) at Kenol, Kandara Constituency, Murang’a County, to attend a fundraising.
Before the DP arrived in the area, a group of youth who were ferried to Murang’a in buses clashed with local youth in what seemed to have been an attempt to prevent the Deputy President from entering Murang’a; however, the police promptly responded using teargas and other means to disperse the violent crowd.
Responding to this incident, the former Prime Minister, Hon. Raila Odinga, sent his condolences and warns that such incidents could escalate if nothing is done to address them.
“I have been deeply disturbed by the violence witnessed in Kenol, Muranga, yesterday where young people ferried in buses from other parts of the region engaged in running battles with locals, leading to loss of two lives and several injuries.” The Former Prime Minister said.
“I pass sincere condolences to the families that lost loved ones and wish quick recovery to those who sustained injuries in that senseless and unnecessary violence.” Hon. Odinga continued.
Violence in the name of elections
Responding to what he terms as sponsoring violence in the name of elections, Hon. Odinga warns that such activities should be of serious concerns to all Kenyans.
“This spectre of violence and vandalism in the name of a presidential election that is over two years away, should be a serious cause for concern to all peace loving Kenyans.” Raila said.
Odinga believes that such activities could paralyse government activities and delivery of services.
“If this continues, and it easily can, it could spiral out of control and we will stagnate as a country, as the government will not deliver much in the remaining two years.” He added.
“Out of fear and anxiety, our citizens will shift their priorities from rebuilding the country to an election that is way far. Furthermore, the seeds of violence being planted now could easily follow us into that election, with grave consequences.” He added.
Stop early elections campaigns
The Opposition leader Raila Odinga calls on his fellow Kenyan politicians to stop early election campaigns and focus more on renouncing the politics of violence.
“I therefore wish to repeat an appeal we have been making for the last two years.” Raila said.
“Let us stop the early election campaigns. Let’s renounce the politics of violence and militarization of our youth as a mean of achieving power.” He added.
According to Raila, the Kenyan politicians “must regard such politics as outdated and out of tune with our current aspirations to move past our divided and bitter past as a nation in favour of politics of engagement rather than confrontation.”
“I appeal to the Government to move with speed and fairly but firmly deal with the people behind the violence so as to pass an unmistakable message that Kenyans don’t deserve this and it must stop.” He said.
Odinga calls on his fellow politicians to acknowledge the damage violence has done to Kenya and commit to working together to end violence.
“I want to appeal to fellow leaders to acknowledge that systemic violence has plagued our country for far too long and we all need to commit to work together to confront and end it.” He said.
Like William Ruto and others, Hon. Raila Odinga held a mini rally in Kawangware on Sunday where hundreds of thousands also turned up.
“I took time this afternoon to say Jambo to the people of Kawangware” Odinga wrote on his Fan Facebook page.
