NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 16 — A section of leaders allied to ODM now say President William Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen of bear “direct personal responsibility” for alleged police brutality and violence in Kitengela on Sunday.
In a joint statement issued Monday, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, and other lawmakers, including MPs Caleb Amisi and Richard Onyonka, condemned the killing of 28-year-old Vincent Ayomo during the unrest.
The leaders said Ayomo, a garage worker in Kitengela, was shot and killed by police amid the chaos.
“It has now been confirmed that one person lost their life in Kitengela yesterday. The Police shot and killed 28-year-old Vincent Ayomo. This is another senseless and needless killing by Ruto’s regime. We send our condolences to Vincent’s family and demand justice and accountability,” the statement read.
They described Ayomo’s death as tragic and unnecessary, emphasizing that he had committed no crime and was peacefully exercising his constitutional right to assemble.
“We express our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family and friends of Vincent Ayomo. He tragically lost his life in the fight for a better Kenya at the hands of those who are duty-bound to protect him,” the statement added.
‘State-sponsored violence’
The ODM leaders condemned what they described as “state-sponsored acts of violence” by police and hired goons against peaceful demonstrators.
The unrest reportedly resulted in multiple injuries and destruction of private property, including vandalism of a public address system set up for the meeting.
“President William Ruto and CS Kipchumba Murkomen bear direct personal responsibility for the violence by the Police and hired goons in Kitengela and for the unfortunate death of Vincent Ayomo, the injured, and the destroyed private property,” the statement said.
They argued that the use of force would not deter Kenyans from exercising their political rights and urged citizens to remain engaged in democratic processes.
“We wish to appeal to all peace-loving Kenyans to stay engaged in the pursuit of a better Kenya. We urge them not to be intimidated and to continue exercising their political rights,” the leaders concluded.
At the time of publication, the government had not immediately responded to the allegations.
