A section of Kenyans and political pundits have in the recent past warned the Kenya Kwanza against arresting veteran politician Raila Odinga.
While the Constitution allows the police to arrest the former Prime Minister if found to have broken the law, there have been fears that arresting Raila would plunge the country into chaos.
This has seen Raila who is believed to be an ‘untouchable’ hold what a section of Kenya Kwanza leaders says are ‘illegal’ demonstrations.
For instance, Governance Expert Ben Mulwa argued that Kenya Kwanza politicians calling for Raila’s arrests were misguided because it would only cause more chaos.
However, National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichungwah called for the immediate arrest of the opposition leader Raila Odinga over what he termed as “blackmailing the government”.
Ichungah, who is a close ally of President William Ruto challenged Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to keep his word and arrest Raila Odinga.
“I’m challenging the Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome to arrest Odinga,” he said.
Speaking to The Standard on Thursday, March 30, the Kikuyu MP dismissed the notion that arresting the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga will further plunge the country into trouble.
“I know there is widespread fear that if Raila is arrested, then the country will plunge into chaos. I want to tell you without fear of contradiction, that nothing will happen to Kenya if Raila is arrested,” he said.
The Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome had last week threatened to arrest Raila if he would continue with his Monday and Thursday mass actions against President William Ruto.
However, Koome is yet to arrest Odinga even after leading two mega protests in the country’s capital city Nairobi this week.
In his latest media interview, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna sensationally claimed that the plan to arrest Raila was made a long time ago but no one including the police boss is willing to effect the arrest.
“Their minions are in agreement that Baba (Raila Odinga) needs to be arrested. However, where they are stuck is the person who will make the arrest,” Sifuna said.
