Mutahi Ngunyi's Analysis of Uhuru's Claim that Raila Fuelled 2007 Post-election Violence

Political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi has opined that President Uhuru Kenyatta’s recent claim that Opposition leader Raila Odinga was involved in the 2007 post-election violence had three messages in it – one being a coded warning to NASA co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula.

In an analysis titled; ICC for Raila? Decoding Uhuru and PEV talk, Prof. Ngunyi expresses that President Kenyatta was sending a message to the three NASA co-principals to be cautious with Raila, as he could turn against them should the upcoming polls turn chaotic.

“Uhuru’s message was very simple. Raila ignited the violence then he blamed it on [William] Ruto. Thereafter, he fired Ruto from Cabinet in the most humiliating manner. If he could do this then, he will do it now.

“In other words, if you shake Raila’s hand, you must check your hand thereafter. Raila is fattening the three principals with promises, but he will sacrifice them if need be and Ruto is the evidence in Chief.

Ngunyi adds that Uhuru could also have been telling the former Prime Minister that if violence is part of his plan in this year’s election, they will hand him over to International Criminal Court (ICC).

Lastly, Ngunyi observes that Uhuru was “speaking to the future”: “As a founding member of ODM, Uhuru understands Raila, he knows that Raila is planning to stop or boycott the election if he senses defeat. His attack was, therefore, to tell Raila that he has read his script and that I'm ready for you".

On Wednesday last week, while speaking in Kisii and in a direct reference to Odinga, Uhuru said:Alikuwa katikati ya vita. Yeye ndio aliwasha moto. (He was at the centre of the violence. He is the one who ignited the flames.”

“Nani alikuwa na lugha ya 40 against one? (Who was propagating the call for 40 against one),” stated the President who was accompanied by his deputy William Ruto.

Here is Mutahi Ngunyi's explanation:

[video:]

  • .