People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has called on President William Ruto to put an end to politically motivated abductions and extrajudicial killings in honour of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Karua described Raila as a fearless defender of democracy and human rights, saying it would be a fitting tribute to uphold the values he stood for.
“Niulize serikali ya William Ruto, na yeye mwenyewe, sababu walikuwa marafiki siku za mwisho, na vile mwendazake Raila Amollo Odinga alikuwa mtetezi wa haki za kibinadam, mambo ya abduction… mambo ya extra-judicial killings… mambo ya kudhulumu haki za binadamu iishe kwa heshima ya mwendazake,” she said.
The 2022 Azimio la Umoja running mate further condemned what she termed as excessive use of force by police officers during the Thursday night incident at the Kasarani Stadium. Thousands of Raila’s supporters had gathered to view his body and pay their final respects, but chaos reportedly ensued following police intervention.
Karua claimed that several mourners sustained injuries and alleged that up to four people may have lost their lives in the commotion. She criticized the police response, saying it disrespected the memory of the departed ODM leader.
“Leo niko na hofu ya kwamba inaonekana polisi walitumia nguvu za hali ya juu kinyume cha sheria pale Kasarani, kukawa na majeraha na hata tukaskia inawezekana watu wanne waliaga. Hiyo sio heshima kwa mwendazake,” she lamented.
A State funeral for Raila Odinga is scheduled to take place at Nyayo Stadium on Friday, followed by another public viewing session. His body will then be transported to Kisumu on Saturday and later to his rural home in Bondo, Siaya County, for burial on Sunday.
