Raila summons MPs in Kisii and Migori chaos

ODM leader Raila Odinga called all his members present during Sunday’s religious event in Kisii that turned chaotic.

In a statement condemning the incident, including the one that occurred at a funeral in Migori on Friday, the party has ordered leaders to report to the party headquarters at Chungwa House in Nairobi on May 8.

They are expected to explain their role in the two incidents.

“Through this statement, the party calls on all elected and nominated leaders present at these two functions to appear before the party leadership to explain their role, if any, in these unfortunate events,” reads the statement signed by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.

During the fundraiser held at the Etono grounds in Bomachoge Borabu, the police were forced to fire tear gas at the pulpit.

The fundraiser brought together five PAG churches and was attended by six parliamentarians from all political sectors.

The fundraiser was chaired by Mugirango South MP, Sylvanus Osoro, who is also the head of the National Assembly.

In attendance were ODM MPs Obadiah Barongo and Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi.

Other attendees included MPs Japhet Nyakundi (Kitutu Chache North), Alfa Miruka (Bomachoge Chache), Patrick Osero (Borabu) and several pro-UDA district representatives.

The problems began when opposition leaders began to criticize the government, something that UDA leaders and supporters did not take easy.

The drama reached a fever pitch when Kibagendi took the podium.

At some point, the microphone he was using was snatched from him.

As the chaos threatened to get out of control, a police officer unleashed a tear gas canister, sending attendees running.

Sifuna, in his statement, also called on the Inspector General of police to investigate the circumstances under which the police fired tear gas canisters at mourners during the Migori event and also hold the perpetrators accountable.

He urged politicians not to use derogatory words, noting that this contributed to the violence.

“We urge the police command to do everything necessary to educate members of the police service so that they understand that their mandate does not extend to being jurors in political party activities,” he said.

According to the SG, images of the events show that “the attack was coordinated and synchronized through collusion between some local politicians and the police.”

However, he did not specify whether the party has complained about it to the police.

The police had also not yet commented on the incidents.