Gov’t has withdrawn security detail of Azimio leaders – ODM
Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023 16:38 | By
Raila Odinga and other Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya leaders when they addressed a press conference in Nairobi on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. PHOTO/Courtesy
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party now claims that the government has ordered the withdrawal of security detail attached to Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga. In a statement, ODM said that the security detail attached to Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and the Narc-Kenya party leader was also withdrawn. ODM also says the security for other elected leaders affiliated with Azimio has also been withdrawn. "The Ruto govt has ordered the immediate withdrawal of security details of party leader Raila Odinga, Martha Karua and Kalonzo Musyoka together with those of other elected leaders in Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition," ODM stated. This comes after hours of a cat-and-mouse game between the police and Azimio leaders and supporters who had planned anti-government protests in the city. Earlier on Tuesday morning, the police teargassed a section of Azimio MPs and Senators outside the Office of the President where they had gone to present a petition on issues they wanted addressed. According to Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, at least 50 legislators who had matched peacefully to the Office of the President were teargassed by the police. “My colleagues and I have been teargassed outside the Office of the President as we marched peacefully to deliver the people’s petition. Gachagua told us we knew where to find them. We do. We went there and instead met the police. Cowards!” Sifuna stated. Among the notable figures caught in the melee include Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang, Likoni MP Mishi Mboko, and Kisumu West MP Rosa Buyu. On Monday, Raila defied directives by the police who termed the protests as unlawful.
