UDA puts Matiang’i on the spot over chaos witnessed during its rallies
By George Brian, January 17, 2022Deputy President William Ruto-led party United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is now accusing Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i of not doing enough to curb the violence that has been witnessed in their rallies in the last few months.
In a press release signed by UDA chairman Johnson Muthama and Secretary-General Veronic Maina, the party claimed that it is ODM party leader Raila Odinga who has been behind the chaos but, according to UDA, the Interior CS has declined to take action against him because of political interest.
According to the party, Raila has had a hand in the violence meted against its members during their rallies in Jacaranda Grounds, Kondele in Kisumu, Kitale and Kieni in Nyeri County.
“Yesterday the country witnessed yet another well-orchestrated ugly scene of stone-throwing meted by hired ODM hooligans during Deputy President’s rally at Jacaranda grounds, Nairobi.
“A similar incident took place in Kitale where MPs allied to UDA were disrupted by the police from having a peaceful meeting. This is not the first time these ugly scenes have occurred,” the press statement read in part.
Adding:” The ODM high command continues to propagate its well-earned reputation of violence with little action from the security apparatus.”
“Kenyans are watching to see whether Interior CS Dr Fred Matiang’i, who has publicly supported Mr Raila Odinga’s quest for the presidency will drop his political hat and act to save Kenyans from his political master’s crusade for violence. This trend is acceptable.
“The minister, despite being entrusted with maintaining peace and order had continued to remain silent and is in no doubt emerging as a cheerleader of such intolerant and acceptable behaviour,” the statement read.
The party’s officials further revealed that they will be writing to Attorney General Paul Kihara to inquire about the progress of the investigations into the violence witnessed in their rallies.
They also challenged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to take stern action against political leaders who are funding the violence.
UDA’s statement comes after Raila distanced himself from the violence at the DP’s rallies accusing the second-in-command of sponsoring the violence meted on his own rallies.