Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has issued an official apology following a chaotic incident where journalists were attacked by unidentified youth during an ODM-Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party meeting.
The confrontation occurred at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (JOOF) venue, which has historically been a safe space for significant political meetings.
In a press statement dated July 18 issued by his secretary Dennis Onyango, ODM leader Raila Odinga expressed regret over the incident and extended an apology to the media fraternity and fellow leaders who were affected by the disturbance.
“The Rt. Hon Raila Odinga regrets the events of yesterday and takes this early opportunity to offer unreserved apologies to the journalists and fellow leaders who got caught up in the unfortunate incident,” the statement read.
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Raila further assured that the coalition would thoroughly review the events that led to the security breach and take necessary measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
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Additionally, he emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and freedom of journalists and leaders at all Azimio functions.
“We understand that during the incident, a number of journalists who had been invited to cover the meeting were roughed up,” Odinga stated.
“Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (JOOF), the venue of yesterday’s meeting, has successfully hosted important events at more defining moments in the country, without any such ugly incidents,” Odinga added.
This apology comes in the wake of the inciden on Wednesday, July 17, when Azimio la Umoja principals led by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka were disrupted by unidentified individuals who ordered them to move out of the venue they had gathered at.
ODM Meeting Disruption
Raila was not present during the commotion, with Kalonzo announcing that he had left earlier for an urgent meeting and asked the other principals to make the statement.
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“Our Party leader Raila Amollo Odinga had to leave for an urgent meeting, and he has asked us to make this statement. Joined meeting of the Parliamentary Group of Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition party was held today Wednesday, the 17th of July 2024,” the Wiper Party leader was heard saying.
However, Kalonzo was disrupted by shouts from the background prompting him to cut short his speech as him and other leaders standing at the podium stared towards the direction of the shouts.
“Toka! Watu waende nje, kila mtu nje! Meeting imeisha kila mtu aende nje! Watu wa media pia mtoke!” a man was heard saying in the background.
This loosely translates to “Get out everyone to get out, the meeting is over! Media people, also leave the meeting is over.”
The attack on journalists has sparked outrage within the media community and among civil society groups, who are calling for swift action and accountability.
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