UK Azimio One Kenya Alliance Condemn Raila chopper attack

ODM leader and Azimio la Umoja Presidential Candidate when he arrived in Iten before youth pelted stones. [Twitter]

The UK supporters of Raila Odinga's Presidential bid have condemned Friday's attack in the North Rift terming it as barbaric and unacceptable. 

In a press statement signed by the newly appointed UK & Europe Campaigns Coordination Chair Mr Maina Gatangi, they said it's clear that the anger implanted on electorates by shortsighted politicians is now beginning to manifest itself throw cowardly acts of violence

"Leaders should not grace their speeches with emotional and ethnic overtones that can amount to incitement on the part of their supporters," said Maina.

A chopper that was ferrying Azimio One Kenya Alliance flag bearer Raila Odinga was stoned by rowdy youth in Kebenes, Uasin Gishu County on Friday evening after the funeral of Mzee Jackson Kibor at Samitui farm.

The attack destroyed the chopper's air shield. 

UDA Presidential candidate William Ruto has since condemned the attack. 

Ruto formally apologized to Raila terming the incident as unfortunate.

“I want to apologise to Raila Odinga for what happened to him yesterday. It was unfortunate and I hope those who engaged in this exercise regret what they did,” said Ruto at his Karen residence.

So far 14 people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

 

Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Stephen Kihara told The Standard that the 14 will be arraigned on Monday, April 4 once investigations are concluded.

The Raila Diaspora Campaigns Head of Secretariat Ali A Ali warned that  Kenya could easily plunge into pre-and post-election violence if the leaders did not preach peace and stop using unorthodox methods of campaigns that borders incitement. 

"Playing with the emotions of millions of young and jobless Kenyans in a bid to win elections is a dangerous game. It can lead to a very nasty political catastrophe both to the perpetrators and the country," Ali Ali said.   

Rose Aseko, UK & Europe  Azimio One Kenya  Campaigns Secretary-General said true leadership is manifested in the ability of the leader to articulate issues and how he/she can help to make lives better for the electorates.

"Kenyan leaders can do better.. we are tired of ethnic politics that only ends up dividing Kenyans. Other Kenyan leaders should emulate baba whose politics is about unity and development ever since he joined politics," said Ms Aseko.