Nairobi, Kenya – Raila Odinga, the leader of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition, has strongly condemned the recent attacks on former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s family, stating that such developments are unprecedented in the country. In a heartfelt statement, Odinga expressed deep concern about the current state of affairs in Kenya and the potential implications for the East African region.
The attacks on the Kenyatta family have included verbal assaults on President Uhuru Kenyatta himself, the withdrawal of security for his mother, Mama Ngina Kenyatta, and a concerning incident where unidentified individuals, claiming to be police officers, attacked his son Jomo Kenyatta. Furthermore, the Kenyatta family’s Northlands farm was vandalized, raising serious security issues.
Odinga stressed that historically, Kenya has followed an unwritten rule of allowing retired presidents to live in peace for the sake of stability and national dignity. He cited the examples of retired Presidents Daniel Arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki, who were respected and left to live in peace, a norm observed in many countries globally. However, the recent attacks and intimidation on the Kenyatta family have raised serious questions about the country’s political climate.
Expressing his concern, Odinga warned, “I am fearful for my country. I have previously lived under a dictatorship, and I fear that a new dictatorship is emerging here. We have a challenging task ahead of us.” He emphasized the need for the international community’s understanding and support as Kenya strives for a peaceful and prosperous future for the region.
The Kenyan politician also highlighted other pressing issues affecting the nation, including a struggling economy marked by high taxes, a weak currency, and corruption, leading to investors leaving the country. Odinga also expressed alarm over growing ethnic divisions, exacerbated by the government’s policy of hiring individuals based on their voting patterns, which has raised concerns about inclusivity and national unity.
Meanwhile, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, in a public address, vowed to protect his family against attacks from the government. He accused President William Ruto’s administration of unjustly intimidating his family and challenged Ruto to confront him directly if he believed any laws had been violated. The situation escalated when dozens of police officers raided the residence of Uhuru’s eldest son, Jomo Kenyatta, in Nairobi’s Karen neighborhood.
As tensions rise and accusations are hurled, Kenya’s political landscape remains fraught with uncertainty. Odinga’s call for peace, stability, and inclusivity resonates strongly, as the country faces crucial decisions that could shape its future.
In the face of these challenges, Kenyatta urged the government to respect the tradition of allowing retired presidents to live peacefully, echoing Odinga’s concerns. The international community closely watches the developments in Kenya, mindful of the nation’s significance as a stronghold of democracy and a key player in the East African Community, the Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes Region.
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