ODM Senator Blasts Raila For Staying Mum On Recent State-Sponsored Abductions
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has called on former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to clarify his position on the recent spate of abductions, which primarily targeted youths involved in anti-government protests.
Speaking on the Daybreak show, the senator expressed concern about the rise in abduction cases and urged those in President William Ruto’s close circle to engage him on the issue.
He suggested that religious institutions, such as the church, seek an audience with the president about the issue.
Raila has remained silent on the issue, with critics blaming it on the formation of the broad-based government with the Head of State, which saw four ODM members join Ruto’s cabinet.
Senator Richard Onyonka: We are not angry with Raila Odinga; we are caught in a mix of uncertainty and despair. I hope that those who are pro-government now do not expect to enjoy the trappings of power or travel in choppers #CitizenDayBreak @AyubAbdikadir pic.twitter.com/71WVPbkJht
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 29, 2024
“It is the responsibility of my party leader Raila Odinga to pronounce himself over this matter. I don’t think it is a matter that should be swept under the rug,” he said.
“I believe the church should look for soft diplomacy so that they can access President Ruto and tell him many of these things should stop.”
The senator emphasized that governments that target those who disagree with their narratives will eventually fall apart, emphasizing the fleeting nature of power.
“The narrative that is out here that certain individuals must be eliminated because they’re critics of the government is because of weak leadership,” he noted.
“Strong and philosophical leaders don’t kill their leaders, they either persuade them, engage them or discuss with them because that’s what governance is about. Power is transitory.”
“(Former presidents) Moi and Kibaki left, they both gone, Uhuru is a normal citizen, Ruto is also going to go.
“If these are the things that are going on, where is he going to be walking around even to say hi to his grandchildren? Why is it irrelevant to our leaders is that history is no longer important?” Onyonka posed.
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The senator also requested that an independent body investigate reports of police officers accessing Kenyans’ sensitive call records to track down their whereabouts.
The bad habits like ABDUCTIONS and MISTREATMENT of our people that we have carried from the past should STOP, the fundamental rights and freedoms in our progressive 2010 Constitution must be OBSERVED and RESPECTED for us to have a just, peaceful and law abiding country! https://t.co/r4TTb98RnN
— Senator Richard Onyonka (@RichardOnyonka_) October 29, 2024
“Young people are disappearing, some are being found. All leads lead to the fact that it is government officers tracking them down and arresting them.”
“Information we’re receiving is that some of them are being held and killed because of participating in the demonstrations that took place with the Gen Zs, how can that be propaganda?”
“There are families at Nairobi city mortuary where there are so many bodies, it’s painful and yet these are things you would wish the country would not get into,” he added.
ODM Senator Blasts Raila For Staying Mum On Recent State-Sponsored Abductions
