East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Oburu Odinga, addressing the media at Moi International Airport in Mombasa.
By DUKE TSUMA
East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Oburu Odinga, has asked President William Ruto, to stop threatening opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Mr Oburu who is Raila’s elder brother said there was a plot to harm the ODM leader for agitating for protests over the high cost of living and the controversial reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
“Mr President stop using Raila as a scapegoat for your failures and instead concentrate on reviving the economy that is currently in shambles as you had promised Kenyans,” Mr Oburu told President Ruto.
He said if the government has any evidence of wrong-doing by his brother they should arrest him and charge him before a court of law instead of threatening him.
Mr Oburu who was speaking during a media briefing held at Moi International Airport in Mombasa county, dismissed claims that Raila has personal issues with President William Ruto adding that the high cost of living is a national issue and not an issue concerning Raila alone.
“The government should stop treating the skyrocketing of the prices of essential commodities in the country as Azimio leader’s personal issues,” he added.
Mr Oburu defended Raila for spearheading protests against the high cost of living and opposition against the controversial re-composition of IEBC saying his brother was expressing his constitutional rights.
He argued that Raila spearheaded constitutional reforms that resulted in the 2010 constitution changes that provide for picketing as a constitutional right.
“The Head of State should stop issuing threats against Raila as if the protests he leads are his personal initiatives,” he said.
Mr Oburu said he is disappointed with the behaviour of the security forces who lobbed teargas canisters at peaceful demonstrators.
He said police should take responsibility for disrupting peaceful protests through throwing of teargas canisters and splashing water against peaceful demonstrators.
