Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, along with his Azimio co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka, displayed a compassionate gesture after he secured a title deed and announced plans to construct a house for a widow who tragically lost her son due to police brutality.
In a statement released by Azimio on Tuesday, it was revealed that the opposition leader was deeply moved by the widow's enduring hardships.
Her plight began when she lost her husband back in 2014, which led to her being forcefully evicted from her land in Emali Town, Makueni, by her in-laws. Subsequently, she had to raise her son, Brian Malika Mwendwa, in a cramped single-room house.
Malika was reportedly shot dead during the Azimio protests while in the company of her mother in their yard.
"At close quarters, a pistol was fired, futilely, Brian grasped his entrails, fell, and breathed his last. His mother, filled with anguish, wept over his lifeless form. Azimio, led by Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka, secured titled land, erecting a dwelling for Brian's mother," read the statement in part.
"While Brian's life is irreplaceable, together, we can demand retribution from the errant officer and superiors for their misdeeds."
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Communications Director Philip Etale confirmed that the former Prime Minister was also slated to travel to Makueni for Malika's burial on Tuesday. He will be accompanied by his co-principals Martha Karua and Musyoka.
The deceased was reportedly shot dead on July 12, 2023.
Addressing a crowd after arrival at Emali Town, Musyoka confirmed that Malika's burial was delayed to give room for the co-principals to finish building the house.
Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo, who was in attendance, also promised to procure a stall for the widow and allow her to trade for a year without footing rental charges.
Odinga, who called for the protests aimed at compelling the President William Ruto's regime to lower the cost of living, claimed that at least 50 people died from the demonstrations.
The opposition leader argued that the State reported lower casualty numbers after instructing hospitals not to disclose the true picture of all patients admitted.
“We ask Kenyans to pray also that the International Criminal Court takes up the matter based on an expanded list of perpetrators that we intend to furnish with the court with in due course," the coalition demanded in July.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki, on the other hand, claimed that one police officer was killed while 305 were seriously injured following the protests.
"The National Police Service also lost 158 vehicles which were either burnt down or severely damaged by criminals masquerading as protesters," read a report from the Ministry.
"More than 850 shops and other business premises were also broken into and looted while 199 buildings were destroyed and various public utilities worth billions of shillings vandalised."
