UDA calls for action against ODM over vandalism of party’s Kisumu office
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Mr Cleophas Malala has said the party will petition the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties to take action against ODM for the vandalism of the party’s office in Kisumu during protests by Azimio la Umoja supporters on Monday.
During the protests, the UDA office in Kisumu was vandalized and two vehicles parked in the compound set ablaze.
“We are going to write to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties to go and ensure that ODM takes full responsibility as a party of the chaos that happened in Kisumu,” Malala said on Tuesday in Nairobi during a press conference by MPs affiliated to UDA.
Mr Malala said the party remains strong despite the incident, and urged the supporters to remain calm even as they plan to repair the damages caused during the incident.
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“I want to tell our party members in Kisumu not to be afraid. Burning our office and our vehicles is not the end of the party. Party is about the people. I want to announce that next week on Tuesday, we’re going to paint the office again n Kisumu,” Malala said.
Mr Malala also said the registration of party members will resume after furniture has been restored and the office reopened.
He wondered why the Azimio leaders took their demonstrations in Nairobi to Kamukunji and Mathare instead of the State House as they had promised.
“I was surprised to see him (Mr Odinga) in Serena Hotels and I thought he was heading to State House… I want to advise him and his supporters to buy enough bundles because your Google Map took you to Mathare,” he said.
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The former Senator said if Azimio leaders wanted to present their petition to the President at State House, they would have walked the short distance from Serena Hotel where they assembled before going to the streets.
UDA chair, Governor Cecily Mbarire, said claims by Mr Odingta that President William Ruto’s government has failed to lower the cost of living are not genuine.
“As by June 2022, Mr Odinga was the government’s foremost defender, attributing the rising cost of living to factors beyond the government control, which also affected other countries,” Ms Mbarire said.
The MPs also dismissed claims by Mr Odinga that last year’s elections were rigged in President Ruto’s favour.