Statement by UDA on Jacaranda Grounds Violence
Yesterday the country witnessed yet another well-orchestrated, violent ugly scenes of stone throwing meted by hired ODM hooligans during Deputy President’s rally at Jacaranda grounds, Nairobi on 16th January 2022.
A similar incident took place in Kitale where members of parliament allied to UDA were disrupted by the police from having a peaceful meeting.
This is not the first time these ugly scenes have occurred. On 5th September 2021, in Kieni Nyeri County, the Deputy President’s motorcade was stoned and barely two months later in a more brazen attack the Deputy President motorcade was also stoned in Kondele Kisumu County on 10th October 2021.
The ODM high command continues to propagate its well-earned reputation of violence with little action from the security apparatus. As the country gears for the general election, ODM has left no doubt that it will use violence as part of its strategy.
United Democratic Alliance demands that the ministry of Interior and the Kenya Police Service to arrest this deteriorating situation. Investigations must be concluded speedily and perpetrators of these acts intolerance brought to book.
Kenyans are watching to see whether Interior cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiangi, who has publicly supported Mr Raila Odinga quest for presidency will drop his political hat and act to save Kenyans from his political master’s crusade for violence. This trend is not acceptable.
The minister, despite being entrusted with maintaining peace and order has continued to remain silent and is in no doubt emerging as a cheerleader of such intolerant and unacceptable behavior.
The party will be writing to IG of police seeking to know the progress of investigations on these unfortunate incidents.
UDA and Kenyans at large are watching keenly to see whether the minister will be quick to bring to book the instigators of yesterday’s violence at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi.
We equally call upon the IEBC to reign on political players who are not committed to peaceful campaigns.
It is now clear that Mr Raila Odinga wants the election and political discourse to be on his terms: centred around violence, conflict, confrontation and threat and leaning heavily on government protection.
We take this opportunity to rebuke Mr Odinga and ask him not to hide behind the Handshake and state protection to terrorise this country.
Signed
Johnson N. Muthama
Chairman
Veronica Maina
Secretary-General
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