• Sifuna said the party is welcoming the call for the police, DCI, and all other investigative to conduct a thorough probe into the events at Jacaranda.
• UDA also accused ODM of instigating the violence that was witnessed at the event.
Image: TONY WAFULA
ODM secretary-general Edwin Sifuna has dismissed the latest claims by United Democratic Alliance (UDA) regarding chaos that were witnessed at Jacaranda grounds on Sunday.
Earlier during the day, UDA accused Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i of being too slow in taking action against perpetrators of violence that occurred at deputy president William Ruto's rally.
Secretary-general Veronica Maina said Matiang’i had turned a blind eye to the chaos because he supports ODM leader Raila Odinga's presidential bid.
But hours later, Sifuna has told off the UDA brigade for linking them to their woes.
“They have been craving any remote chance to besmirch the names of President Uhuru, Rt Hon Odinga, and CS Matiangi, in a desperate attempt to draw false parallels and hand us the violence skunk they are breeding,” Sifuna said in his statement.
“We want the violence network in UDA to know that ODM will not carry your madoadoa burden.”
UDA had accused ODM of instigating the violence that was witnessed at their event.
Sifuna added that Kenyans watched the demeanour of the UDA allied MPs during the special sittings of Parliament and noticed their anger and unhinged emotions, a worrying sign of their inability to take defeat with dignity.
“Because the focus has shone on them for their reckless talk and conduct, UDA and its warmonger leader have been desperate for ways to deflect attention from the madoadoa grave they dug themselves into.”
Sifuna said the Jacaranda grounds chaos wer caused by agitated youths who were demanding their share of the money being distributed by Ruto's camp.
He cited pockets of violence witnessed in Kondele, Kisumu, and Kieni, Nyeri.
“The whole country is aware that the Deputy President's philosophy of handouts and payment to youths to attend his rallies has boomeranged on him many times.”
Sifuna maintained that the ODM leader is keen on uniting the country adding that his fifth stab at the presidency is premised on the unity of the nation.
“As we have stated before, the DP is his own worst enemy and must look in the mirror whenever he wants an explanation as to why his political fortunes continue to dwindle.”
“ODM declines the invitation to be blamed for seeds of discord sown by the corruption lords who have panicked at the prospect of a Raila Presidency, which many more Kenyans of goodwill, having realised what the UDA brigade is really about, have embraced.”
The ODM SG, however, welcomed investigative agencies including the police and the DCI to probe the Jacaranda chaos and provide answers on who caused the violence.