Raila Addresses Mithika Linturi's Remarks

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (left) and Meru Senator Mithika Linturi
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (left) and Meru Senator Mithika Linturi
File

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has spoken out regarding remarks made by Meru Senator Mithika Linturi during Deputy President William Ruto's rally at the Eldoret Sports Club.

While addressing a congregation at St John’s ACK Church Mwimuto in Kabete, Kiambu County on Sunday, January 9, the former Prime Minister argued that the remarks risked returning the country into the dark days.

He also argued that the remarks threatened to divide the country as it geared toward a high-peak campaign season.

“We cannot continue profiling people as 'kwe kwe' (weeds) and 'madoadoa'. We cannot afford to go back where we came from.

Raila Odinga leaves Kasarani Stadium after successfully holding the Azimio la Umoja national convention on Friday, December 10, 2021
Raila Odinga leaves Kasarani Stadium after successfully holding the Azimio la Umoja national convention on Friday, December 10, 2021
File

“Let everybody be allowed to live and do business in any part of the country without discrimination based on tribe, colour, religion, gender or age. Every Kenyan allowed to live in any part of the country without seeking permission from anybody,” stated the former Prime Minister.

He further noted that the country has come a long way and people should not be allowed to let the gains be eroded by reckless remarks.

Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka also challenged Kenyans to be careful with their utterances keeping in mind the events of Kiambaa Church in 2007.

"I am seeing war drums again. That is why this talk of madoadoa reminds people of Kiambaa Church. That is not the country we really want to live in.

"That is my challenge to you today, this nation must repent and people should stop beating war drums again and people will be able to move forward," stated Musyoka.

Linturi has since been arrested over comments he made at the public rally after a video went viral on social media on Saturday, January 8, in which the lawmaker made remarks bordering around hate speech at the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) event.

The Senator's utterances drew sharp criticism from various political leaders and Kenyans who pointed out that the remarks could instigate violence ahead of the 2022 General Election.

Among the leaders was Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) leader Moses Kuria who asked Ruto to ask his allies to stop making such reckless statements.

"I'm a close friend of the Deputy President. However, I am far. If you are in Eldoret and near here tell him to rebuke his allies. It doesn't matter whether these remarks were said by Linturi or Oscar Sudi (Kapseret MP)," he wrote on his social media pages. 

UDA supporters have, however, strongly maintained that Linturi's utterances were taken out of context.

Former Meru Senator Mithika Linturi gestures during a press address at parliament buildings in 2018
Former Meru Senator Mithika Linturi gestures during a press address at parliament buildings in 2018
kenyans.co.ke
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