Azimio coalition chairman Wycliffe Oparanya has been arrested in relation to Wednesday’s demonstrations.
The coalition made the revelation during a press conference on Thursday at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation, Nairobi to condemn what they termed as police brutality on its supporters during the demos.
“Among those in police custody is our very able member of Parliament for Mavoko, the honourable Patrick Makau and as we speak we have just learnt of the arrest of the honourable Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya,” Eugene Wamalwa said.
Oparanya was arrested in Kakamega by police who had been trailing him and taken to the local DCI offices for grilling.
An officer familiar with the matter said he would be transferred to Kisumu.
“We demand immediate and unconditional dropping of all charges against honourable Makau and honourable Oparanya who has been arrested just this evening and all those who were arrested in a constitutionally protected action of protesting against punitive policies,” Wamalwa said.
Present during the presser were several Azimio leaders including Raila Odinga.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki had on Wednesday issued a terse statement saying planners of the chaotic protests and their funders would not go unpunished.
“The government has tonight mobilised all the law enforcement agencies of the State and the institutions of our country’s criminal justice system to conclude investigations urgently and proceed to the arrest and prosecution of all those involved in the planning and execution of the crimes committed today, including those who funded or otherwise aided or abetted the offenders,” Kindiki said.
Kindiki blamed planners of the protests for all the acts of violence, looting and destruction of public and private property that characterised the demonstrations.
“They lied to the police that they would be holding a peaceful political rally at the Kamukunji grounds, only for them to unleash terror on innocent Kenyans, as a result of which lives have been lost, scores of law enforcement officers and civilians have been grievously injured and unimaginable loss to the Country’s economy have been occasioned,” Kindiki added.
Meanwhile, Oparanya on Wednesday claimed that police had shot at his car in Busia as he was being driven to Funyula MP Wiberforce Mundenyo’s home “for a cup of tea”.
“You can see they aimed at my car and at that time there was no demonstration at all. We were going to Mheshimiwa’s house for some tea and then we were to appear in town later,” Oparanya told the media.
The most sickening thing in the Ruto government is that all they do is complain. You have been in government for a year. What have you done other than whining about Raila who owns your regime right now?
Mudavadi said the delay that has been caused to implement the Finance Act 2023 is making the country lose over Ksh.600 million every day.
Raila should face terrorism charges screamed shollei. Arrest him first. Why is your government so scared of arresting him?
“The people of Kenya rejected you five times. You are now 80 years old. What are you fighting for?” Gachagua posed.
Here is the issue. If Raila is so useless why is the entire Ruto regime so scared of him? Only Kenyans will answer that question. Raila and Azimio has pretty much turned the Ruto regime into total chaos in just one year. One day they will try to understand how that happened. That is their problem. Kenya is moving on.
This is what a government in total panic looks like. It is terrible.
Next action is Wednesday July 19, 2023
