Raila: Stop blame game, let’s unite to defeat terrorism
Former PM Raila Odinga with relatives of victims of Garrisa terror attack at the Kenyatta National Hospital on April 3, 2015. He rallied Kenyans to unite in fighting terror. PHOTO | ANTHONY OMUYA
What you need to know:
- The former Prime Minister’s statements were a sharp contrast to his blunt criticism of President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Jubilee coalition government after similar past attacks.
- An emotional Mr Odinga Friday said he felt very sorry for the parents and relatives of the students shot dead in the attack by Al-Shabaab gunmen on the Garissa University College Campus.
Cord leader Raila Odinga Friday asked fellow Kenyans to fully unite in order to defeat terrorism.
Speaking at the Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, where he visited the survivors of the Thursday terrorist attack in Garissa Town, Mr Odinga described it as “one of the saddest incidents that will go down in Kenyan history.
“There is no need for a blame game really,” he said, adding: “Terrorism knows no boundaries, and it is an enemy that requires our concerted efforts to overcome.
“It is a tragedy; one that must force us to set aside our allegiances and differences as the Opposition or the government and confront,” added Mr Odinga, who looked visibly moved.
The former Prime Minister’s statements were a sharp contrast to his blunt criticism of President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Jubilee coalition government after similar past attacks.
SORRY FOR THE PARENTS
Last November, Mr Odinga faulted President Kenyatta and the government over a spate of terrorist attacks and ethnic clashes in Marsabit, Kapedo, Lamu, Mpeketoni, Tana River, Turkana, Wajir and Mandera in which scores were killed. Then, Mr Odinga dismissed the Jubilee coalition as “clueless” and unable to combat insecurity.
An emotional Mr Odinga Friday said he felt very sorry for the parents and relatives of the students shot dead in the attack by Al-Shabaab gunmen on the Garissa University College Campus.
He was accompanied by Cord Senators James Orengo and Johnson Muthama.
Meanwhile, the Council of Governors’ vice-chairman, Mr Salim Mvurya, has also condemned the dawn terrorist attack that left some 147 students dead and many others injured.
