Why DCI officers rearrested Raila Odinga’s ally despite being set free
The charges against Korogocho Member of County Assembly (MCA), Mr Absalom Odhiambo Onyango, have been disclosed.
According to a charge sheet from Nairobi Central Police Station, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) intends to charge Onyango with two counts, as seen by Nairobi News.
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In the first count, the sleuths believe that he was out to cause anarchy in the country following sentiments that he made on January 25, 2022, while addressing opposition members at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation House- Capital Hill in Kilimani, Nairobi County.
“On that day, with intent of inciting to violence, uttered words, “kwa siasa ya taifa tunataka tutoke kwenda ikulu tutoe huyu mwizi, nataka tuingie town tufunge biashara, hakuna biashara itaendelea hii town ya Nairobi, ndio William Ruto aheshimu Raila Odinga. Lazima tufunge biashara hii town, which words implied to cause anarchy in the country,” part of the charge sheet read.
In the second charge, the detectives believe that the political leader acted in offensive conduct contrary to section 94(1) of the penal code.
On this, they explained that he suggested that opposition leaders go and get President William Ruto out of the State House.
The officers said the statement was “hateful, threatening, abusive and insulting” and aimed at provoking the peace Kenyans enjoy.
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Mr Odhiambo was nabbed by sleuths attached to the DCI on Saturday, February 4, 2023, and is expected to be arraigned in court today, Monday, February 6, 2023.
On Sunday, Nairobi News exclusively reported that the politician was re-arrested following his unconditional release from court on Thursday, February 1, 2023.
The trial magistrate ruled that he was originally arrested and detained based on a non-existent law.
In his ruling, the magistrate blasted the police and prosecution for being insensitive to the changes in the law while seeking orders to detain the MCA.
He never enjoyed his freedom for long. On Saturday, February 4, 2023, the MCA was nabbed by officers attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and his phone was immediately switched off.
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He was taken to Tigoni Police Station in Kiambu County, where he is currently detained.
In an interview with Nairobi News on Sunday, Mr Dunstan Omari, the Korogocho Member of County Assembly (MCA) lawyer, expressed his confusion over his client’s recent arrest.
Despite representing the political leader at the Milimani Law Courts and securing his release, Mr Omari stated that he was unaware of the reasons for the re-arrest and questioned the prolonged, unjust suffering inflicted upon his client by the police.
“It is clear that the MCA was set free, and the court ruled that he did not have any case to answer. Now we are wondering why they are illegally holding him without any explanations,” Mr Omari, who spent the better part of Sunday at the station, said.
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