The security details of Azimio la Umoja principals Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka have been withdrawn, embattled Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has revealed.
Speaking exclusively to Kenyans.co.ke, Kioni believed that the move was a political witchhunt aimed at deterring the Azimio la Umoja Coalition from staging mass demonstrations.
He faulted the government for finding scapegoats instead of providing solutions to lower the cost of living. Kioni confirmed that he was not surprised by President William Ruto's clarion call to his MPs to block mass protests in their constituencies.
"I didn't expect the government to welcome maandamano so I am not surprised. If you are in office, the only responsibility is to make Kenyans' lives better. If not, we ought to challenge you through protests and the police should provide protection," Kioni noted.
During the engagement, the former Ndaragwa MP claimed that a hotel in Eldoret was being used as a training ground by a special police unit allegedly formed to muzzle Azimio protests.
Kenyans.co.ke could not independently verify these claims.
"Yesterday, I was called by a supporter in Eldoret and he told me of a hotel which is being used to train these officers during demonstrations. At the time, they were about 200 but now they have increased. Some of the people in that unit were recalled from Special Services Unit (SSU)," Kioni added.
According to Kioni, the opposition had received intelligence from several police officers who intimated to him their wish not to play any part in quelling the anti-government protests.
He added that the rebellious officers provided crucial information regarding the plans to deter the planned protests.
On the issue of Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta allegedly funding Azimio protests, Kioni termed the claims as baseless speculation.
He questioned why Uhuru would fund protests yet he has in the past been a bigger proponent of creating jobs for the youth.
"To say Uhuru is funding them, why didn't he fund them when he was in power? Instead, Uhuru brought Kazi Mtaani to help the youth."
He reiterated Azimio's stance that the opposition was not angling for a hanshake with Kenya Kwanza.
