Cherargei: Police should get risk allowance for fighting stone throwers, internal terrorists
By Joel Sang, July 21, 2023Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has said that the police deserve allowances for how they have dealt with the demonstrations organized by Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition.
While insisting that Kenya Kwanza will not entertain any talks to share government with the opposition, Cherargei lauded the police for maintaining law and order during the demonstrations.
Police commended
“To Tinga (Raila Odinga), there is no handshake/handcheque, no nusu mkate, and no cooperation, whether you demonstrate it or not, until the second coming of Jesus. We commend the police for maintaining law and order.
“In fact, they (police) should get a risk allowance for fighting stone throwers, internal terrorists, and economic saboteurs,” Cherargei said in a statement.
Cherargei’s statement comes a day after President William Ruto delivered quite a similar statement lauding the police for how they have handled the anti-government activities led by the opposition.
Ruto’s take
“I want to congratulate our police for being bold and ensuring that there is peace and ensuring that action is taken on all offenders so that we ensure that there is peace in Kenya and people’s property is protected.
“The people of Kenya do not want violence, chaos, anarchy, or destruction of property and businesses. The people of Kenya have said we are a democratic country, we respect the votes of ordinary citizens, and when the people of Kenya have spoken it is like God has spoken,” Ruto said during a roadside engagement with the members of the public in Isiolo on July 20, 2021.
Ruto has always maintained that the protests are acts to sabotage the economy.
“Every Kenyan has said that we cannot sabotage our economy using violence, destruction of businesses, and destruction of property. Kenya is the only place we have to call home, and we must protect it by all means.
“We must protect our democracy, we must protect the peace in the country because it is the collective responsibility of all of us as citizens,” he added.
Raila explains absence
The demonstrations hit their second day on Thursday, but Raila Odinga, the most notable face of the anti-Ruto rallies, did not appear in public. However, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) revealed that he had fallen ill.
“I am nursing a terrible flu, but I am getting better. I am urging my supporters to go on with the protests because tomorrow (Friday) is the grand finale,” Raila said.