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Raila: I never told anyone to take up arms


Cord leader Raila Odinga insists his recent rallying cry for Kenyans to protest in demand for the immediate removal of office of the Independent Boundaries and Electoral Commission (IEBC) was misinterpreted.

The former Premier’s sentiments were subject to intense debate and speculation especially on social media on Saturday.

Specifically, the Director of Digital Communication in the Office of the President, Dennis Itumbi, called for Odinga’s arrest on grounds that he was “threatening violence”.

The opposition leader was quoted by sections of the mainstream media uttering the words; “I am calling on Kenyans from Mandera, Isiolo, Samburu, Kajiado and elsewhere in Kenya to arm themselves with spears, arrows and other weapons to go to Nairobi and remove Hassan’s team from office.”

CEREMONIAL WEAPONS

He uttered the words at a political rally in Narok.

In his defence, Raila says that the weapons he mentioned are merely ceremonial.

“That’s nonsense. I cannot call people to fight. When a Maasai carries a spear, that is a ceremonial weapon, he doesn’t use it to fight. Similarly, I know of people who carry rungus and have never seen them fighting,” said Odinga in response to the matter while speaking in Kisumu on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Government is yet to formally adjudicate on the matter.