Raila condemns attack on Uhuru-linked land, blames government
The tension between the government and the opposition coalition reached new heights on Monday following the attack on land in Ruiru that is linked to former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s family.
Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga condemned the attack and expressed his disappointment at the violence that occurred during the second day of anti-government protests, which he had called for.
Speaking in an interview with BBC on Tuesday, Raila said, “What happened in our country is disheartening since in two weeks we have lost three lives from police bullets. It is disheartening since we Azimio followed the law.”
According to NTV reporter Brian Muchiri who was at the scene, the invaders arrived on Monday morning and immediately began cutting down trees and clearing the land. Others were seen loading sheep from the farm into vehicles and carting them away.
It remains unclear who the invaders were and their motive.
The land is part of the Kenyatta family’s ambitious project to build Northlands City, a KES 500 billion dream city.
Northlands City is one of Kenya’s largest and most ambitious real estate projects, with an expected population of over 250,000 people once completed. The Kenyatta family is undertaking the project through their company Brookside Holdings Ltd.
In his interview, Raila reiterated the constitutional right to protest and denied any involvement in the destruction of property.
He criticized President William Ruto’s economic policies, claiming that the government had removed subsidies, resulting in citizens suffering even more during the global recession.
The opposition leader noted that he was willing to meet with President William Ruto for talks, but two preconditions need to be agreed upon.
Firstly, the electronic election servers to be opened to verify whether last year’s election was rigged, and secondly, the appointment of new election commissioners to involve all parties.
The ongoing protests against the government have resulted in two incidents of property damage linked to Raila and Uhuru, with unknown individuals attacking a gas cylinder company linked to Raila’s family and invading Kenyatta’s farm, cutting down trees, and escaping with livestock.
Raila expressed concern for journalists who were targeted by police and protesters during Monday’s protests.