Raila Odinga, the leader of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party, claimed at a rally in Nairobi that four Venezuelans, including an individual named Jose Carmago, are in the country to tamper with poll servers for the upcoming election.
Odinga said they have tracked the individuals to Maasai Mara Lodge where they are currently staying as they continue with their “illegal operations.”
He also claimed the individuals met with Communications Authority of Kenya Chairman Ezra Chiloba and former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairman Wafula Chebukati.
Odinga’s claims come as the Azimio coalition prepares for anti-government protests next week should President William Ruto fail to meet their demands.
Odinga’s team is ready to engage with Ruto’s team of negotiators as long as the terms of engagement include lowering the high cost of living, opening the election servers for audit, reconstituting the IEBC and devolving its structures, respecting multi-party democracy, and withdrawing Eldas MP Adan Keynan from the government’s team for talks.
Odinga’s side has Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, Senators Enoch Wambua (Kitui) and Ledama Ole Kina (Narok), and MPs David P’Kosing (Pokot South), Millie Odhiambo (Suba North) and Amina Mnyanzi (Malindi).
Odinga insisted that Mr Keynan cannot be part of the delegation representing Kenya Kwanza since he was elected on a Jubilee Party ticket and, therefore, legally remains a member of the Azimio coalition.
He said Azimio was committed to the talks but will continue with peaceful protests which are guaranteed in the Constitution under Article 37.
The Azimio chief also revealed that, apart from Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome, his team will forward evidence to the International Criminal Court linking a senior government official to alleged brutality meted out on peaceful demonstrators by the police, including an attempt on his life during which his car was shot at 11 times.
Odinga was accompanied by his running mate in last year’s election, Ms Martha Karua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, Mr Sifuna, former Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria and his Laikipia counterpart Ndiritu Muriithi, Nairobi ODM Chairman George Aladwa, and other leaders.
Karua said they were ready for the second wave of peaceful protests. Musyoka said all Azimio leaders, including former President Uhuru Kenyatta who is the chairman of its council, back Odinga’s calls for mass action.
Wamalwa warned Koome against issuing illegal orders to his officers and criticized the government for failing to pay civil servants “for the first time since independence.”
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