Jubilee Leaders Differ on Whether Raila Should Be Arrested for Taking 'Oath'

Jubilee leaders have differed on whether it is necessary to arrest National Super Alliance (Nasa) leader Raila Odinga after he took oath as people's president last Tuesday.

While some leaders argue that the opposition chief must be arrested for taking an illegal oath and attempting to 'incite' citizens against a legally elected government, others said it was not necessary over concerns that it could lead to unprecedented chaos.

Calling for Odinga's arrest, Igembe North Member of Parliament Maoka Maore said : “It is wrong to excite supporters to an illegality. Losers are behaving like winners and making winners appear to be in office illegally."

While noting that government was not afraid of arresting Odinga, Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata said the opposition chief did not commit any crime by taking oath as people's president.

“Mr Odinga has not committed any crime. If he had violated the law, he would have been arrested,” Mr Kang’ata said.

“Mr Odinga did not take oath as the president of the republic. There are many presidents in this country such as university student leaders. People are being arrested because they are misleading him and making inciting utterances.”

Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny said he is opposed to any plans that would have Odinga arrested.

“Arresting Odinga will lead to chaos. Let us remember he has six million supporters across Kenya,” Kutuny said.

Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior, an opposition MP said arresting Odinga would be a disaster.

“Anyone thinking of arresting Raila is contemplating disaster. The arrest of the likes of Miguna Miguna, Tom Kajwang, George Aladwa and others shows the government develops cold feet when it comes to Mr Odinga,” Mutula said.