Curious Kenyans online have noticed Azimio One Kenya leader Raila Odinga’s new vehicle, a Toyota LC 300 said to be armored.
However, the question racing through many people’s minds is why would the veteran leader obtain a new armored car just months after a hotly contested election, which many thought, including his competitors, would condemn him to permanent political retirement.
If history is anything to go by, then Mr. Odinga getting an armored vehicle should not surprise Kenyans, especially when on the opposing side of the government of the day.
On October 5th, 2002 night, unknown gunmen sprayed a personal car belonging to Raila, then Kanu Secretary-General with six bullets along the Garissa-Mwingi Road while it was being driven on its way to Nairobi from Garissa town.
The brief encounter left the car with six bullet marks, and the three occupants, including the driver, George Opondo escaped unhurt. Mr. Odinga is said to have changed his mind last minute to use a chopper to Nairobi.
In 2016, the windscreen of his armoured car was shattered during opposition demonstrations against the electoral commission in Nairobi.
Raila, Cord’s leader at that time was in the grey sports utility vehicle and Cord said it was an attack on his life.
On November 17th, 2017, Raila’s Range Rover was shot at allegedly by the police when returning back to the country and the vehicle’s bulletproof windscreen stopped the bullet.
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko would later say in a social media post police officers were under instructions to shoot Raila at a close range.
It is no surprise.
