Raila accuses Jubilee of blatant violation of the Constitution

Nasa leader Raila Odinga has accused the Jubilee leadership of blatant violation of the Constitution and human rights through disobeying of court orders and harassment by police. 

Mr Odinga also accused the government of holding hostage various government bodies, leaving citizens helpless. 

The opposition chief, who was sworn in as the “people’s president” on January 30, said that among the bodies held hostage by Jubilee include the Judiciary, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and Parliament. 

Mr Odinga was speaking in Vihiga during the burial of Justus Etale, the father of ODM Communications Director Philip Etale. 

The former Prime Minister said the Jubilee government had resorted to disobeying court orders and using police to violate people’s rights. 

Mr Odinga was making his second public address since he was sworn in as the “people’s president”.

GRABBED POWER

His first address was when he attended the funeral service for Yvonne Wamalwa, widow of former Vice-President Michael Kijana Wamalwa, in Nairobi.

His “oath” has led to the government cracking down on opposition politicians close to him. 

But, speaking in Vihiga, Mr Odinga said: “This is my first engagement party with the public after being sworn in. We are relying on Article 1 of the Constitution that says sovereignty lies with the people of Kenya,” said Mr Odinga. 

He went on: “The people can exercise it directly or indirectly but our competitors are doing the opposite. They have grabbed power and held government bodies hostage.

“The State has become rogue.  They are blatantly violating court orders and using the police to intimidate people,” he said. 

Mr Odinga, however, told his supporters that he had been sworn in and that “things are going to change”.

“We are going to hold the people’s convention soon. I will discharge my duties as the people’s president without fear,” he said. 

DEPORTATION

He accused the police of arresting political leaders and decried the recent deportation of the self-declared National Resistance Movement (NRM) “general” Miguna Miguna.

He criticised Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet for saying  that the crackdown on Nasa leaders will continue. 

“We have seen them (government) arrest and deport a Kenyan. When people agitate for their rights, they are brutalised by the police and some killed,” said Mr Odinga.

He added: “The IG is threatening politicians. Police are civil servants.  If there is a breakdown in law and order, the police and the army will not manage to control the people.”

He defended NRM and said it is an idea whose time has come. 

Aware that the ongoing crackdown on his allies might lead to his possible arrest and prosecution, Mr Odinga said he had faced similar threats in the past and prevailed. 

“I was arrested in 1992 and detained for six years. There is nothing new (Attorney-General) Githu Muigai can threaten me with,” he said. 

ELECTORAL JUSTICE

He said electoral injustice was deep-rooted in the country and that he had been a victim in 2007, 2013 and 2017.

He said the country should not discuss the 2022 elections until electoral justice is restored. 

Other leaders present at the funeral included Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo, Senators Amos Wako (Busia), Cleophas Malala (Kakamega) and George Khaniri (Vihiga).

Luanda MP Chris Omulele, Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi and a host of ODM officials also attended.

The leaders vowed to stick with Mr Odinga with former Attorney-General Wako asking the government to respect human rights and honour court orders.

“Chapter Four of our Constitution is on human rights. I want to tell Jubilee that the rule of law is fundamental. When I served as the Attorney-General, I ensured that rights of everyone were observed. I also participated in the drafting of the new Constitution. What is happening now is a replica of the 1980s and 1990s,” said Mr Wako.

Mr Etale eulogised his father as a man who cherished values.