Nairobi News

Raila Odinga, the leader of the One Kenya Coalition Party, has made a startling claim that four Venezuelans, including one Jose Camargo, are in Kenya to tamper with the poll servers for the upcoming elections.

Mr. Jose Camargo was mentioned during the Supreme Court hearings of the 2022 presidential election petition.

Speaking at a rally at the Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi, Mr. Odinga revealed that the mercenaries have been tracked to Maasai Mara Lodge, where they are currently residing while continuing with their “illegal operations.”

“We have information that the mercenaries who accessed the servers during the elections, one of them Jose Jose Camargo, are in the country. They were living at a hotel in Kileleshwa but left after realising we were aware of their mission and moved to another hotel in Karen and are now at the Maasai Mara Lodge,” he said.

Also read: Why Raila deleted ‘maandamano’ video

Mr. Odinga also alleged that the individuals have met with Communication Authority of Kenya Chairman Ezra Chiloba and former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairman Wafula Chebukati.

Mr. Odinga also stated at the rally that the One Kenya Coalition Party will resume anti-government protests next week if President William Ruto fails to address their demands.

“If we don’t hear from Ruto next week, we shall resume mass protests immediately after Ramadhan,” Mr Odinga announced.

The party is calling for the lowering of the high cost of living, opening of the election servers for audit, reconstitution of IEBC, and respect for multi-party democracy.

Mr. Odinga’s team is ready to engage with President Ruto’s team of negotiators as long as their terms of engagement include these demands.

The government side had unveiled its team of negotiators, which included Eldas MP Adan Keynan. Mr. Odinga’s side includes Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, and several other leaders.

Also read: The cost of Azimio’s maandamano

Mr. Odinga insisted that Mr. Keynan cannot be part of the delegation representing Kenya Kwanza since he was elected on a Jubilee Party ticket and remains a member of the Azimio coalition.

In addition to the planned protests, Mr. Odinga announced that he would forward evidence to the International Criminal Court linking a senior government official to alleged brutality meted out on peaceful demonstrators by the police.

The Opposition leader also revealed that, apart from Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome, his team will forward evidence to the International Criminal Court linking a senior government official to alleged brutality meted out on peaceful demonstrators by the police, including an attempt on his life during which his car was shot at 11 times.

The rally was attended by several other leaders, including Mr. Odinga’s running mate in the last election, Martha Karua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, former Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria, and others.

Also read: Police yet to respond to Raila’s radio tactics during maandamano

Ms. Karua faulted the government for its failure to provide education loans to university students and pay civil servants on time.

“We shall not relent until we get our rights. We must ensure all Kenyans have food on the table. The price of unga must come down to Sh100 and school fees must also reduce so that all children can learn,” she said.

Mr. Musyoka told police to stand for justice and the rule of law as Kenyans resort to street protests to fight for their rights, while Mr. Wamalwa criticized the government for failing to pay civil servants “for the first time since independence.”

Mr Wamalwa warned Mr Koome against issuing illegal orders to his officers.

“We shall never forget that the price of salt rose during Ruto regime,” said Mr Wamalwa, while calling on civil servants to join Opposition protests should the government continue to withhold their salaries.

The opposition leader’s announcement has drawn a range of reactions from other political leaders and the general public alike.

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