The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader, Raila Odinga, has apologised over the controversial 'madoadoa' remarks he made during a rally in Wajir County on Wednesday, March 10.
Speaking during a rally in Kisumu on Friday, March 11, Raila explained that his remarks were taken out of context and he would never discriminate against any Kenyan(s).
The ODM leader explained that he meant the people who attended the rally in Wajir were all supporters of the Azimio La Umoja political faction and not other parties.
He apologised to people who were offended by his remarks and stated that his comments were not similar to those of Meru Senator Mithika Linturi.
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"We were in Wajir and I spoke and used the word madoadoa and said even here in Wajir there are no madoadoa. Candidates who were there were from Azimio and they said Wajir is an Azimio zone and I thanked them.
"I did not mean that we don't want other communities in Wajir. If there is anyone who did not understand my remarks, I want to sincerely apologize. I am very sorry. I cannot discriminate against any Kenyan. The remarks I made were very different from what was said in Eldoret," he stated.
The ODM party leader asked Kisumu residents to support Azimio La Umoja and noted that President Uhuru Kenyatta and other influential leaders in the country were going to back his aspirations.
Raila's comments come in the backdrop of summons by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) over the controversial madoadoa remarks.
NCIC wants Raila to explain the context of the word that led to the arrest and charging of Senator Linturi.
"In his remarks, he mentioned the term 'Madoadoa' which is considered a hate speech term in Kenya," the statement from the National Cohesion and Integration Commission remarked.
"The Commission wishes to assure Kenyans of its commitment to curbing any form of hate speech, to ensure Kenya remains a stable, prosperous and cohesive nation, and to deliver on our promise," it added.
Political analyst Barrack Muluka, who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke, explained that politicians should focus more on their agenda rather than the theatrics brought about by politicking.
"They are all politicking and I really don't think it counts for anything. These people are better off focusing on substantive issues other than that. That kind of politicking of calling out your opponents for making the madoadoa remarks doesn't add much value to your campaign efforts.
"Whether it is Raila who says or Linturi who stated, I don't think we should give it more significance other than the fact that he told the residents not to vote for anyone outside of their formation," Muluka stated.
