Police set to quiz more suspects as mystery over ‘March 4 Movement’ deepens

Police will interview more people this week to establish the link between former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s chief campaigner, Mr Eliud Owalo, and the little-known March 4 Movement.

Sunday Nation has established that the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has opened an inquiry file to establish the link between Mr Owalo and the alleged movement. CID has summoned Mr Owalo to appear at their offices for interrogation on Monday from 10 am.

The case is being handled by Inspector Geoffrey Kinyua and Inspector David Cheruiyot of Serious Crime Unit at CID.

According to a letter dated July 17 from head of Serious Crime Unit, Mr John Kariuki, Mr Owalo and others “plot to create civil unrest and plot nationwide demonstrations which will lead to discrediting government”.

According to tipsters privy to investigations, the movement based in Nairobi’s Kilimani is fashioned towards Egypt’s “people power demonstrations” that deposed former President Hosni Mubarak from power two years ago.

The movement was allegedly focused on tapping into discontentment of Kenyans who are unemployed and feeling the weight of high inflation and the high cost of living.

Sections of trade unions and civil societies were expected to be roped in to mobilise Kenyans who would have pitched tent on the streets to achieve their means.

Sunday Nation learnt that the CID accessed the information from individuals the movement was attempting to recruit.

One of the tipsters claimed the movement was to be funded by foreign embassies. Also in the CID letter, it is alleged that they have information Mr Owalo was sponsoring the youths countrywide to cause chaos.

Mr Owalo’s lawyer A.T. Oluoch, while replying to CID in a letter dated July 17, asked the police to name the complainant and the date he recorded a statement incriminating his client.

He also sought to know whether his client was a witness or a suspect in the investigations.

“Specify whether a report was made to the police in relation to the allegations against our clients, when and the occurrence book number and the person who made the report. Specify the allegations you are investigating in writing, which you never did,” said Oluoch.

On Tuesday, Mr Owalo appeared at the CID offices and dismissed the claims as cheap propaganda being peddled by government. He said CID officers were upset after he penned an opinion article calling for dissolution of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

On Wednesday, Cord leaders led by Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o said that by interviewing Mr Owalo, the Government was targeting Cord leaders Mr Raila Odinga and Mr Kalonzo Musyoka.