Mwenda Mbijiwe’s Mother Demands Answers From Raila

Security expert Mwenda Mbijiwe speaking during a past press briefing.
An undated photo of security expert Mwenda Mbijiwe
File

Mwenda Mbijiwe’s mother, Jane Gatwiri, wants Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga, to explain his remarks on the disappearance of her son. 

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Wednesday, October 20, Gatwiri lamented that Raila’s interview caused panic and anxiety within the family who has been searching for the former Kenya Air Force officer for nearly four months. 

In the interview aired on Weru TV, Raila spoke on a Mzee Mbijiwe (interpreted as the late Cabinet Minister Gilbert M'Mbijiwe Kabere who passed away in 2017) when asked to weigh in on Mbijiwe’s disappearance.  

A side by side photo of ODM leader Raila Odinga and missing government analyst Mwenda Mbijiwe
An undated side by side photo of ODM leader Raila Odinga and missing government analyst Mwenda Mbijiwe
(COURTESY)

However, he added that he would seek President Uhuru Kenyatta’s intervention in Mbijiwe’s case which has dragged on for months. 

Mbijiwe’s mother argued that Raila contradicted himself and left the family with more questions rather than answers. 

Both Gilbert M'Mbijiwe Kabere and Mwenda Mbijiwe, she stated, were close friends with Uhuru and Raila. 

“I was not happy with Raila when he spoke on my family and son’s issue. I have that video (of the interview as evidence). We have searched for him everywhere, at the Directorate of Criminal Investigation and other stations, but all has been in vain. 

“The contradiction and confusion in Raila’s statement is alarming. We do not know if he was talking about the late Cabinet Minister who is my uncle or my son Mbijiwe. I want Raila to explain what he meant in his statement,” Gatwiri stated. 

She added that the family could not comprehend how Raila could seek the President’s aid, if there were reports claiming that Mwenda Mbijiwe passed on. This made them believe that the ODM leader spoke on the uncle instead. 

“Mbijiwe was a close friend to Uhuru and Raila. As a family, we never slept on the night after Raila’s interview. 

“He caused us a lot of pain as the issue was trending online. I prayed for anyone speaking ill of my son as it is painful and traumatising to think of losing a son,” Gatwiri expressed her discomfort. 

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President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) with ODM leader Raila Odinga (right) at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Kisumu during the Madaraka Day celebrations on June 1, 2021
PSCU