NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 17- The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party has called on the Ministry of Interior and other relevant authorities to speedily investigate and bring to book the people who caused chaos and violence during Deputy President William Ruto’s Embakasi rally on Sunday.
Speaking during a press conference on Monday, the party’s Chairperson Johnstone Muthama asked Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi to ensure the culprits are dealt with, even as he urged for political tolerance.
“United Democratic Alliance demands that the ministry of Interior and the Kenya Police Service to arrest this deteriorating situation. Investigations must be concluded speedily, and perpetrators of these acts intolerance brought to book,” Muthama said.
While drawing attention to the DP’s rival Raila Odinga, Secretary General Veronica Maina described the chaos as well orchestrated.
She stressed that such actions cannot be tolerated as the country gears up for the August 9 General Elections.
“Kenyans are watching to see whether Interior cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiangi, who has publicly supported Raila Odinga quest for presidency will drop his political hat and act to save Kenyans from his political master’s crusade for violence. This trend is not acceptable,” Maina stated.
“The minister, despite being entrusted with maintaining peace and order has continued to remain silent and is in no doubt emerging as a cheerleader of such intolerant and unacceptable behavior.”
The party further urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to reign on political players who are not committed to peaceful campaigns as the country gears up for the August 9 polls.
On Sunday, Ruto’s Jacaranda rally in Nairobi was briefly disrupted by a rival group forcing police to deploy teargas to disperse them.
Though the event proceeded to the end, Ruto blamed Raila for encouraging violence amongst his supporters in his perceived strongholds.
“I want to tell Odinga that your quest to get into public office through the use of violence, I want to tell you that you will not succeed. This young people you are using to throw stones, they are only available to you for the next six months, after that they will be unavailable since we will give them jobs,” Ruto said.
He said he will not succumb to fear or threats from Odinga or other opponents warning all perpetrators of violence that they will not succeed in their agenda to divide the country.
