Although sources say the main agenda of the meeting was development, others have whispered to The Weekly Vision that the politicians expressed fears for their security now that they are opposing ODM party and Mr Odinga. The politicians declared that they have already joined UDA with their supporters at the grassroots and requested that their safety be considered by the government of President William Ruto
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As the clock quickly tickles towards the March 20th much anticipated mass action called by Azimio leader Raila Odinga, panic has gripped several leaders who have decamped from Mr Odinga’s camp to work with the Kenya Kwanza administration. The politicians are said to have raised concern over their safety and security during and after the planned demos claiming their intelligence network has warned them of a possible attack on their properties by demonstrators.
During the 2007 mass action, former Rarieda MP Raphael Tuju who was then a cabinet minister had his rural home attacked by NASA demonstrators. The politicians according to sources have expressed fear that they could be targeted by Mr Odinga’s supporters including their businesses and homes.
It is against such fears that on Monday President William Ruto met more than 30 leaders from Mr Odinga’s political bedrock of Luo Nyanza at State House IN Nairobi, they were led by former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, former Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma, and former Migori Governor Okoth Obado.
Although sources say the main agenda of the meeting was development, others have whispered to The Weekly Vision that the politicians expressed fears for their security now that they are opposing ODM party and Mr Odinga. The politicians declared that they have already joined UDA with their supporters at the grassroots and requested that their safety be considered by the government of President William Ruto.
The State House meeting was brokered by ICT CS Eliud Owalo and Interior PS Ramond Omollo on request from Mr Kidero who has now become the de facto leader of the anti-Raila group in Luo Nyanza. The presence of former Police Spokesman Charles Owino who in the run-up to the last general elections declared an interest and campaigned for the Siaya gubernatorial seat on the ODM ticket but later withdrew to be Nicholas Gumbo’s running mate before finally withdrawing from the race to go back to the National Police Service, despite having resigned, caught many political watchers by surprise. It is believed that Mr Owino had been promised a senior position had Raila Odinga won the presidential elections.
The meeting may have also been used to broker peace between Mr Owino and the President considering that during the campaigns he attacked Ruto and Kenya Kwanza team. Others claim that as a senior police officer, he would be responsible to ensure the safety of the anti-Raila politicians as well as their properties. Among those who attended the meeting were Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency Chairman Odoyo Owidi and former MPs Martin Ogindo, John Pesa, Rose Nyamunga, Nicholas Gumbo and Edick Anyanga.
Others were former Kisumu MP Rose Nyamunga, former Nyando MP Fred Outa, Nicholas Gumbo who is a former Rarieda MP, former Rangwe MP Martin Ogindo, former Migori legislator John Pesa and former Nyatike MP Omondi Anyanga.
