Azimio leader Raila Odinga on Saturday reiterated that he stands with the Kenyan people amid questions on his political leanings after his close allies were appointed to the cabinet.
In a statement, Raila condemned the brutality meted on Kenyans during the Nane Nane Protests expressing concerns over excessive use of force by the police on peaceful demonstrators and journalists covering the picketing
"It is with deep concern that I learned of the arbitrary arrests, detentions, and excessive use of force by the police, which led to the harassment of peaceful protesters and journalists, including a member of the international press, Larry Madowo of CNN," Raila stated.
Raila proceeded to ask law enforcement agencies to respect the constitutional rights of all Kenyans.
"I also urge the immediate release of those who were unjustly detained and a thorough investigation into the misconduct of the officers involved," he further stated.
The former Prime Minister argued that police excesses are not only unacceptable but also a direct violation of rights enshrined in the 2010 Constitution.
Odinga particularly stressed that the rights are fundamental pillars of the Kenyan democracy, pillars that patriots fought long and hard to establish and protect.
Raila's Political Conundrum
For a long time, Raila has been hailed as the father of Kenyan democracy with Kenyans appreciating the key role he played in fighting dictatorship under the Daniel Arap Moi regime and helping deliver the 2010 Constitution.
However, this year's youth-led anti-government protests have stolen the opposition's thunder. When Kenyans trooped to the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) to show their opposition to the now withdrawn Finance Bill 2024, a whole new dynamic was introduced in Kenya's political landscape.
This was the first time in a long time, that Kenyans were opposing the government's policies directly without needing the opposition.
To stem the wave of protests that were threatening to topple the government, President William Ruto dissolved his cabinet and would weeks later nominate Raila's close allies to the newly reconstituted cabinet.
The allies; Hassan Ali Joho (Mining & Blue Economy), John Mbadi (Treasury), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum) and Wycliffe Oparanyya (Cooperatives & SMEs) have since been appointed and are now serving as Cabinet Secretaries.
