Why UDA Wants Raila Blocked From 2022 Elections

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga speaks during the Mashuja Day Celebrations in Kirinyaga on October 20, 2021.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga speaks during the Mashuja Day Celebrations in Kirinyaga on October 20, 2021.
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Raila

Politicians allied to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) are now seeking to have the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party blocked from participating in the 2022 General Election.

In a statement signed by the party's National Chairman, Johnson Muthama, dated Wednesday, November 10, the politicians termed the stoning of Deputy President William Ruto's motorcade in Kisumu on Tuesday as appalling.

The statement comes a day after some of the DP's allies pointed accusing fingers to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga over the violence that rocked the second in command's visit to Kisumu's low income area of Kondele.

In the statement, Muthama highlighted what he termed as an obvious lack of action from security agencies across the country following the incident.

DP William Ruto addresses residents in Jua Kali, Kisumu County on November 10, 2021
DP William Ruto addresses residents in Jua Kali, Kisumu County on November 10, 2021
DPPS

"The stoning of the Deputy President William Ruto's campaign entourage at Kondele, Kisumu County, yesterday is a wake-up call not only by the citizens of Kenya but also by the institutions charged with ensuring a peaceful election and transition next year," read the statement in part.

"Curiously, the Kenya Police and  National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) have remained aloof and have not acted in a way that would inspire confidence from Kenyans. 

"The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) should take action to discipline ODM Party by even disqualifying them from participating in the coming General Election," continued the statement.

They also highlighted an instance in which Jimi Wanjigi, a presidential hopeful under the ODM umbrella, was stoned while campaigning in Migori County, Raila's home turf.

The politicians also took an issue with a statement issued by the National Police Service (NPS) claiming that the DP had been warned against stepping in Kondele but did not heed.

"Yesterday, Kenya Police issued a lame statement stating that the Deputy President had been warned of chaos prior to the visit. Nothing could be far from the truth. The question that police should answer is when did they know about the chaos and what did they do about it to ensure the stoning does not happen and it is stopped.

"The NCIC has been lethargic and carefree at best. This is a commission best known for organising workshops at top hotels with nothing to show for it. The commission should, by now, have arrested an emerging pattern where politicians of certain political earnings have been using words that can be construed as intended to incite Kenyans," continued the statement.

Raila, who has been heavily mentioned in the goings-on and is yet to officially declare his interest in the presidential race, has, however, dismissed taking part in the violence that was meted against the DP.

Raila refuted the allegations that he was responsible for sponsoring the chaos, adding that it would not benefit him in any way.

"I am not a kid to go and organise people to throw stones at Ruto, why would I do that? Ruto is beneath me," the ODM leader stated.

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Former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama addresses the media at Lee Funeral Home on Friday, December 11, 2020
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