‘Selfish interests will destroy our beautiful country’ – Ole Kina warns Ruto, Kindiki
By Joel Sang, July 14, 2023Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina has warned President William Ruto and his Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki about selfish interests that he says can destroy the country.
Referring to the latest tribal attacks along the Kisumu-Kericho County borders, the Senator said the violence must be ended before it erupts into a full-scale war.
Ole Kina’s warning
“Political power is transient. We are getting drunk with power, my friends Kindiki Kithure and William Ruto, and our own selfish interests will destroy our beautiful country!
“The tribal clashes on the border of Kisumu and Kericho Counties must end! There is going to be a war in this country; it is written on the wall,” Ole Kina, a close ally of Raila Odinga, the party leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), said in a statement on Friday.
On Thursday, fresh clashes were reported in Sondu, along the Kisumu-Kericho county border, where one person was killed and scores sustained gunshot wounds and arrow injuries.
Omollo’s call
With Ole Kina calling for the end of the tribal conflicts, the Principal Secretary, State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, Raymond Omollo, called for leaders to help end the conflict.
“The recently witnessed countrywide protests are but a smokescreen of the actual security situation in Sondu. This border town has for a long time been balanced on the precipice of a brewing ethnic conflict between residents of Kisumu and Kericho counties.
“As a historical challenge, therefore, even as we pursue a lasting remedy to stabilize this volatile region, we call upon the regional leadership from both divides to calm the locals and allow for security operations to restore law and order,” Omollo said in a statement.
The conflict in Sondu erupted when the country witnessed continued protests organized by the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Alliance. The demonstrations were witnessed in different parts of the country, and Kindiki, while warning the Azimio leaders over the same, said the government has deployed resources to counter the unrest.
“The government has mobilized all the law enforcement agencies of the State and the institutions of our country’s criminal justice system to conclude investigations urgently and proceed to the arrest and prosecution of all those involved in the planning and execution of the crimes committed today, including those who funded or otherwise aided or abetted the offenders.
“The architect of lawlessness and impunity, together with his co-conspirators, have once again overseen a day of shameless and unprovoked looting of private premises, illegal obstruction of economic activities, and extensive damage to major public assets and infrastructure built on the sweat of the taxes of the people of Kenya,” Kindiki, through a press release, said on Thursday.
Azimio, Ruto adamant
While Kindiki is adamant the government will not condone further Azimio protests, the opposition plans to hold rallies on Wednesday, July 18, 2023.
Azimio leader, Odinga announced a five-day protest break to mourn those who died during the previous demonstration. While the opposition outfit plans more action, President Ruto has remained adamant, saying his government will not allow his rivals to cause anarchy.