NASA to host city meeting to mourn fallen supporters

NASA leaders led by Raila Odinga(2nd R) his Co-principal Musalia Mudavadi(L), Johnstone Muthama(R) and James Orengo(2nd L) consult during a fund raising for the burial of the victims of police brutality at Laico Hotel,Nairobi on Friday 24/11/17[Boniface Okendo,Standard]

NASA leader Raila Odinga has asked his supporters to gather at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi’s Eastlands on Tuesday at a time President Uhuru Kenyatta will be taking the oath of office.

The NASA meeting will not be a rally but an event where leaders affiliated to coalition will gather to mourn opposition supporters they say were killed by police.

“Those lives didn’t go in vain. It is part of the struggle,” said Raila. “They paid the ultimate price. They didn’t reach the top of the mountain like Martin Luther King but it is not in vain.”

Speaking at a fundraising meeting at a Nairobi hotel on Friday, Raila faulted the on-going preparations for Uhuru’s inauguration, saying it was ill-timed because the country was still mourning the death of citizens killed in clashes with police and Jubilee supporters in the city and other parts of the country.

He was referring to about 15 people killed in Nairobi, Migori, Kisumu and Bungoma before and after the Supreme Court declared Uhuru duly elected last week.

The NASA leadership accused the police of being behind the killings and demanded that international institutions take up the investigations.

“When you hear the Inspector General talk of mob justice as the cause of the deaths, you ask yourself what action will be taken if it’s the police who carried out the so-called mob justice?” posed NASA co-principal Musalia Mudavadi.

Siaya Senator James Orengo told the meeting that brought together NASA MPs, governors, deputy governors and supporters that they would not rest until those responsible are brought to book.

Rallying call

“The international community is not talking about the killings going on in Kenya, but we will use human rights agencies in Kenya and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to get justice.

“Action must be taken against them,” said Mudavadi.

Raila faulted Jubilee over the killings and questioned why they were planning Uhuru’s swearing-in when the country was in mourning.

“It is sad that the lives of young people have been cut short at between the ages 17 and 28. Those were very young precious lives needed for the development of the nation. What did they do, what crimes did they commit, did they have to die?” asked Raila.

Those questions, he said, must to be answered by the Government. “It’s is crazy to hold a ceremony when the people are mourning. For NASA, there is no celebration. They should have waited until the dead are buried,” said Raila.

The NASA chief donated Sh1 million, while Mudavadi and Senator Moses Wetang’ula each donated Sh100,000 to help with funeral arrangements. At least 28 families of the victims attended yesterday’s fundraiser.