Siaya Senator James Orengo and businessman Jimmy Wanjigi were on Monday evening blocked from leaving the country.
The two were stopped at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by immigration officers as they attempted to leave for Zimbabwe to attend the late Morgan Tsvangirai's funeral.
Kenyans.co.ke learnt that the passports of the two were seized as they checked-in.
[caption caption="James Orengo and Jimmy Wanjigi at the Airport"]
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This was confirmed by Salim Lone, NASA leader Raila Odinga's adviser, who condemned the act as retrogressive and contrary to a court order that granted them permission to travel.
"When People’s President Raila Odinga and his delegation travelling to the late Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s funeral in Harare arrived at the JKIA airport, Immigration officers confiscated the passports of Senator James Orengo and Jimi Wanjigi.
"Mr Odinga and Kisumu Governor Prof Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o were not stopped.
"A court order was immediately obtained for the return of the passports and served on the airport immigration office, but the officers refused to carry out the court order and the passports were not returned, making the two NASA leaders miss the flight..." stated Lone.
Director of Immigration Services Gordon Kihalangwa, however, stated that the suspension of the two was still in force when they arrived at the airport.
He further stated that he learnt about the court orders from the media but was not officially served the documents as per the law.
[caption caption="Press Release from the Director of Immigration Services"]
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Odinga left the country on Monday and described the late Tsvangirai as a brother.
"On my way to Buhera, Zimbabwe, to attend the burial of my dear late brother MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai; which is taking place tomorrow," wrote Odinga on his official Twitter account.
Unknown to many, Tsvangirai had links to Kenya and was a close ally of Odinga.
In July 2017, Tsvangirai met Odinga in Kenya and later told Zimbabwean media that they had agreed to form a global coalition to deal with electoral fraud.
[caption caption="Raila Odinga Leaving for Zimbabwe on Monday"]
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