Raila condemns police brutality in Juja, Bonchari by-elections

By , May 19, 2021

ODM leader Raila Odinga has called out some state officers for using the police to intimidate voters and cause chaos in the Juja and Bonchari by-elections.

The two by-elections were held on Tuesday.

In his message, Raila says during an election, democracy should prevail, adding that voters should be allowed to exercise their constitutional duty freely.

“An election process is an opportunity for the voters to express their will at the ballot and not an avenue to pursue imaginary and short-legged political interests,” he said.

Raila adds that police officers should stick to their mandate of serving the people and “not the interests of those out to conduct political experiments”.

He accused a cabal of state officers of using his Handshake deal with President Uhuru Kenyatta to water down the gains made in democratic space.

“What we have witnessed in the by-elections in Bonchari and Juja is an abuse of police powers and an arrogant display of impunity by a few overzealous and bellicose government functionaries,” Raila said.

“The peaceful co-existence post-2018 must not be taken for granted by some rogue elements wanting to confuse the Handshake for an excuse to erode our hard-earned liberties! This must STOP!” he added.

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