Azimio la Umoja coalition has called on the government to immediately bring violence across the country to an end.
While addressing the press on Thursday, October 5, the opposition leader Raila Odinga while referring to the recent Kericho-Kisumu boarder ethnic clashes told President Wiliam Ruto to stabilize Kenya before Haiti.
“Ruto must stabilize and secure Kenya before thinking of sending our security people to what is clearly a Mission Impossible in a country, we even had no diplomatic ties until about two weeks ago,” stated Raila.
“The recommended UN police to citizens’ ratio is 1 police officer for every four hundred people. In Kenya, the police to people ratio stands at one officer for over one thousand people. We have no officers to export. In fact, we need help ourselves.” said Raila.
Violence Taking a Political Dimension
In addition, Azimio expressed their concerns over insecurity in the country claiming innocent Kenyans, adding that the violence is taking a political dimension.
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“We are also concerned over the mistrust that this violence is breeding between residents that is now taking a political dimension,” Odinga noted.
Moreover, the Raila Odinga-led faction highlighted that the government has failed to address incidents of insecurity in various parts of the country.
“We must never forget that the government has so far failed to address the various incidents of insecurity in the North Rift Counties of Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet and Laikipia,” he said.
A Nation Losing Battle to Gangs
Subsequently, the opposition while criticizing the ongoing Sondu clashes causing mayhem for residents in the border appealed to residents to resist any incitement.
“We also appeal to the residents to resist and reject those inciting them to acts of violence and lawlessness that brings no value to the actors and the victims,” the statement reads.
They further condemned the attacks saying it is unacceptable and must come to an end.
“They paint a picture of a nation that is losing the battle to gangs and terrorists,” said Raila.
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“We wish to assure the innocent residents of Sondu, from either side of the border that we are in solidarity with them.
We urge the residents to put down their arms and embrace each other as the brothers and sisters they have been all along,” noted the opposition.