Korogocho MCA Absalom Odhiambo on Thursday, June 19, threatened to take legal action against the Nation Media Group over an article that implicated him in the violence witnessed during protests on Tuesday.
In a tirade shared on social media, Odhiambo denied allegations that he was involved in organising goons to counter protesters in a bid to quell demonstrations demanding justice for murdered blogger Albert Ojwang.
The MCA was responding to a controversial front-page article in Daily Nation headlined “How Chaos Was Planned in the City,”, which detailed several names as the masterminds behind the organised goon attack on protesters.
According to the report, the Korogocho MCA was at the centre of plans to disrupt Tuesday's protests. The article further stated that the attacks by goons on protesters were not random but had been planned days in advance.
“I woke up today to propaganda in Nairobi saying I organised goons to battle protesters. I want to appeal to Nation Media, I want you to present evidence whether I am involved in this incident,” Odhiambo said.
Splashed on the front page of the Daily Nation were images of National Police Service Spokesperson Michael Muchiri, Korogocho MCA Odhiambo, and another individual identified as “Gaucho”. All three were linked to the mayhem witnessed on Tuesday.
In his rebuttal, Odhiambo denied any involvement and challenged the media house to produce proof that he was the mastermind behind the goon attack, or face legal action.
Odhiambo was adamant that at the time of the protests, he was partaking in a separate interview with a different TV station.
“I’ve always advocated for peaceful protests because I have friends in Nairobi who suffer when property is destroyed in the city. I have never advocated for violent protests,” the MCA added.
“If I was involved in any planning of these protests, I want you (Nation) to investigate me. Trace my phone because you’ve ruined my reputation and I will sue you in court.”
The Tuesday protests turned violent after demonstrators were met by armed goons, who were caught on camera assaulting, and at times robbing, civilians in broad daylight.
Videos of the protests have since emerged online, showing some of the goons mentioning Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja’s name as the one who sponsored them. Sakaja, in a statement on Thursday, denied these claims.
“We categorically dissociate ourselves from any gangs, militias, or politically sponsored groups that exploit demonstrations to engage in criminal activity,” Sakaja stated.
“We strongly condemn the destruction of public and private property witnessed last week, perpetrated by hired goons brought in from outside Nairobi,” he added.
