Raila: How I Took Cover When Bullets Were Sprayed on My Car

Azimio la Umoja Leader, Raila Odinga, on Friday, March 31, claimed that he was subject to an assassination attempt by rogue police officers. 
 

While counting up to ten bullet holes in his car, Raila told Voice of America (VoA) that police had planned to kill him during the Thursday, March 30, demonstrations in Nairobi. 
 

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader claimed that he was forced to hide under his car seats as his car came under a heavy barrage of firepower. 
 

"I had to take cover, and went on the seats to keep myself away from the bullets that were hitting the car," Raila recounted. 

Raila also revealed that the shooters categorically aimed at the area in which he was sitting, noting that the suspected assassins knew that he sat at the back of the car. 

 

"We initially thought that they were firing in the air, but later discovered that they were aiming directly at me," Raila stated. 

 

The ODM party leader claimed that the shooters received specific orders from top government officials to kill him. 
 

“I don't think any police officer could aim to shoot and assassinate politicians without being commanded from the very top,” Odinga noted, as he showed journalists dents and bullet holes on his armored vehicle.

 

He accused President Ruto of taking the country to pre-colonial times with what he termed as attacks against peaceful demonstrators.

 

Raila explained that he was simply leading a group of protesters who were merely exercising their right to picket. 

 

The ODM leader also accused foreign powers of turning a blind eye to human rights abuses in the country. 

 

"These people have been threatening and blackmailing us, unfortunately, the friends of this country are not helping. 

 

"Look at the statement released by some ambassadors based here, you would think that they live in a different country; they’re actually adding fuel to this conflict instead of being independent and neutral arbiters,” he added.