Opposition leader Raila Odinga has said he will move to court to challenge the appointment of a taskforce into the Shakahola massacre.
Raila’s remarks came after he was denied entry to the Shakahola mass grave site where 110 bodies have since been exhumed.
While speaking in Kilifi County on Saturday, May 6, Raila claimed that President Ruto has no constitutional powers to set up the commission of inquiry, noting that only Parliament can do so.
“Nimeona bwana Ruto jana ameweka tume ya kufanya uchunguzi. Rais hana uwezo ya kuunda jopokazi ya kufanya uchunguzi. Hiyo imewekwa chini ya Bunge na juzi nimeambia bunge yetu waunde tume ya uchunguzi. Bunge inalala; haijafanya kazi hiyo,” he said.
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“Mimi nitaenda mahakama kusema hiyo jopokazi ameweka ni kinyume ya katiba.” Raila added.
Furthermore, the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leader claimed that the president only formed the taskforce to cover-up the exact details of the Shakahola massacre.
“Wanataka kuzika hii maneno ndio sababu wanaunda tume. Tunataka kujua nani alifanya hii maneno,” he said.
Nonetheless, in a gazette notice released on Friday, May 5, the head of state named members of the commission of inquiry that will be led by Lady Justice Jessie Lesiit.
President Ruto in the notice, stated that the taskforce will make inquiries into the deaths as well as allegations of torture and inhumane treatment of followers of the controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie and his Good News International Church based in Kilifi County.