Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leadership has condemned the arrest and abduction of Azimio leaders and close associates.
Through a statement Azimio Principal Martha Karua, noted that the illegal arrests are attempts to paralyze Azimio and its top leaders.
She further demanded for the immediate release of those detained, adding that their detention is not only malicious but also unlawful.
“These illegal arrests and or abductions are a desperate attempt by the illegitimate Ruto Regime to paralyze Azimio and its top leaders and to sabotage the exercise of our constitutional right to peaceful demonstrations.” Reads part of the statement.
Leaders and Azimio Allies Arrested
- Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili alias Babu Owino
- Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga
- Speaker Kilifi County Teddy Mwambire
- MCA Mabatini Hon Wilfred Odallo
- MCA, Ngei ward Redson Onyango
- Budget officers at the Nairobi County Assembly Redson Onyango, Erick Otieno and Anthony Otsula
- Makadara MP George Aladwa,
- Raila Odinga’s bodyguard and close associate Maurice Ogeta and Dennis Onyango
- Digital Strategist Pauline Njoroge
- Maina Njenga
- Mathare MP Antony Oluoch
- Nairobi County assembly Peter Imwatok
Also Read: Raila’s Bodyguard Maurice Ogeta Abducted
The Arrests
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino was arrested on Tuesday, July 17 at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by DCI detectives.
Babu Owino, who has since been held incommunicado, just jetted into Nairobi from Mombasa when he was arrested and detained.
However, his whereabouts are yet to be known.
During Wednesday, July 18 demonstrations, Kilifi South legislator Ken Chonga and Kilifi County speaker Teddy Mwambire, were arrested in Mtwapa and detained in an unknown place.
This was after police dispersed protestors in the coastal town.
Furthermore, police arrested MCA Mabatini Wilfred Odallo and his Ngei counterpart Redson Onyango during Nairobi County anti-government protests.
Others arrested in the country’s capital include Budget officers at the Nairobi County Assembly Erick Otieno and Anthony Otsula.
Also Read: LIVE UPDATES: Azimio Holds Countrywide Protests
Similarly, they are currently held at undisclosed locations.
Among the allies arrested is Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s bodyguard Maurice Ogeta who was abducted by police this morning while on his way to work.
In a statement, ODM’s Director of Communication Philip Etale claimed that officers picked Odinga’s bodyguard on his way to work.
“Unknown people in plain clothes suspected to be police officers from the DCI have abducted Raila Odinga’s bodyguard Maurice Ogeta while driving to work, bundled in him in the car boot and driven away with him to unknown destination. His whereabouts remain unknown,” read Etale’s statement.
Also, Dennis Onyago a close associate of Mr. Odinga was arrested from his house this morning during which time a search without warrant was conducted.
