This archive report was first published on 10 November 2019.
Kenya: Outrage Over ODM's Vote Guarding Unit As Ruto Asks Raila to Apologise ¶
Deputy President William Ruto has asked Raila Odinga to apologize for the violence witnessed in Kibra during the by-election. Ruto accused Odinga's supporters of intimidating and harassing opponents.
On Saturday, Ruto claimed that he and his allies were openly harassed by a militia group linked to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) known as the ODM Vote Protection Unit.
Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji said that those who instigated the violence in Kibra will be held personally responsible once police investigations have been concluded.
However, Kibra OCPD Lucas Ogaro said that no one had filed any complaint yet.
ODM candidate Bernard Okoth emerged victorious with 24,636 votes against the 11,230 garnered by Jubilee's McDonald Mariga in the mini-election whose turnout was less than 40 per cent.
Deputy President Ruto claimed that the ODM Vote Protection Unit was responsible for the violence and intimidation witnessed in Kibra during the by-election.
He said that the unit was under the command of Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati and his Embakasi East counterpart Babu Owino.
However, Arati denied the allegations, saying that his team was in Kibra to guard Okoth's votes and did not engage in any violent activities.
Arati said that he actually saved his fellow politicians from mobs baying for their blood after they were accused of buying votes.
But Ruto disagreed, noting in a tweet that the ODM Vote Protection Unit was responsible for the violence and intimidation witnessed in Kibra during the by-election.
He said that the unit was a militia group that was used to intimidate and harass opponents.
Senator Susan Kihika accused Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i of failing to arrest those she accused of perpetuating the Kibra violence.
She said that the CS and his PS were not taking action despite telling evidence.
Mr Gachagua also faulted Dr Matiang'i for failing to order any arrests, warning that the culture of violence was likely to take root in the future due to inaction by the police.
