Azimio, Kenya Kwanza leaders trade barbs over planned demos

Politicians from Kenya Kwanza and Azimio were yesterday throwing salvo at each other over the Opposition’s planned protests.

 A section of Kenya Kwanza MPs, led by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa said time had come for Opposition leader Raila Odinga to be tamed and stopped from holding the country at ramson by calling for violent protests under the guise of peaceful demonstrations.

“The impunity Raila has exhibited over the years will come to an abrupt end on Monday. Kenyans are tired of his theatrics. The government will show him that he is a subject of the Constitution,” Ichung’wah warned.

He added: “Previous governments have shown Raila that he is above the law but time has come for him to realise that the country belongs to all Kenyans. The government has a sacred role of protecting the Constitution.”

He further claimed that the government was aware of a night meeting held at a residence in Karen between Raila and a group of MPs to plan the Monday chaos.

“They held a planning meeting at a house in Karen to plan the protests which will culminate in bloody scenes in Nairobi. The government is aware of your schemes and will not allow a single life to be lost because of your actions,” he said.

But in a quick rejoinder, Azimio lawmakers hit back, saying the protests will go on as planned whether the government was in support or not.

The Opposition MPs were accusing Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of issuing threats to their leader and warned that he should be held responsible should anything happen to Raila ahead of the planned Monday mass protest. The over 15 legislators said the remarks by Gachagua that they ‘have a solution’ that will mark the end of the Odinga’s should not be taken lightly as it borders on threat to his life. Led by Senate Minority Leader Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo, his National Assembly counterpart Opiyo Wandayi and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, the lawmakers warned that should anything happen to Raila they will be held personally responsible for that.

“We want to register our concerns on some pronouncements made by Gachagua confirming the era of elimination of opponents has begun. We want to tell the DCI to summon the DP to record a statement after he said that they are going to have a final solution of the problem of the Odinga’s,” Sifuna said.