MPs Sudi, Kositany distance themselves from attack on Raila's entourage

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi and his Soy counterpart Caleb Kositany have distanced themselves from allegations linking them to involvement in planning the stoning of Raila Odinga's entourage in Kabenes, Soy Uasin Gishu county during the burial of Mzee Jackson Kibor.

Addressing the press in Eldoret town on Sunday, Sudi said he reached out to Odinga, Suna MP Junet Mohammed and Babu Owino immediately after the Friday incident.

“Kando na siasa, sisi wote tunajuana, hatuwezi cheza na maisha ya yule mwengine, nilicomplain sana kwa sababu ya tabia ya hao vijana,” he said.

Sudi said the Inspector General of police Hillary Mutyambai should expedite probe into the political intolerance, saying there has been a number of such ugly occurrences across the country and no action has been taken against the perpetrators.

“Ile siku Atwoli alisema William Ruto hatakuwa kwa ballot, wakati Aladwa alisema watu wengi watamwaga damu ndio Raila akuwe Rais, hakuna mtu alimsummon,” said Sudi, adding: “I am ready to go to Nakuru and record a statement… hii yote ni upuzi ya siasa.”

The legislator said he has always been championing peace in the county and should not be linked with something that happened when he had left the venue.

Kositany on his part said police should pursue the perpetrators of the attacks as recorded in the statements of those arrested and avoid politicizing it.

The two left Eldoret on Sunday to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI)  regional office in Nakuru to record statements on the incident after being summoned on Saturday.

According to the DCI, the chaos that was unleashed during the burial at Kabenes village led to the damage of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga’s helicopter.

The DCI in a statement said preliminary investigations had revealed that the three leaders allegedly organized and coordinated the violence that was witnessed.

“At the closure of the ceremony, chaos erupted and stones including other projectiles were hurled at the former Prime Minister by incited youth,  maliciously damaging his helicopter’s windscreen,” read the statement.

“In view of the foregoing, the two legislators and County Assembly Speaker have pursuant to Section 52 of the National Police Service Act 2011, been summoned to appear in person before the Rift Valley DCI Regional Coordinator on April 3, 2022, at 9am, for further investigations into their involvement in the incident.”