Senator Kipchumba Murkomen Demands Arrest of Raila for Treason

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has called for the arrest of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.

Speaking while accompanying Deputy President William Ruto to West Pokot County, Murkomen says Odinga must be arrested for committing treason when he swore himself as the people's president in January 2018.

The Senate Majority Leader has questioned why authorities went after lawyer Miguna Miguna and Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang' but spared Raila after the mock swearing-in.

"Raila Odinga went to Uhuru Park and declared himself the people's president. Kenya, through the office of the DCI, then arrested Miguna Miguna and Tom Kajwang'," says Murkomen.

Senator Murkomen says Odinga has no moral authority to lecture Kenyans on impunity until he is charged with treason.

"You are not qualified to give us a lecture until you are sentenced for treason and maybe the president will forgive you because there is a presidential pardon," he remarks.

"If they are not going to arrest him then there is no need of raising an alarm against impunity and yet the opposition leader himself is a free man and has no authority to lecture people on impunity."

He says if no action is taken against him, Raila will go ahead to install himself as President in 2022 when DP Ruto defeats him.

"After we defeat him [in 2022], and we will, how sure are we he won't go to Uhuru Park and declare himself President for a second time?" Murkomen poses.

In a quick rejoinder, ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale has dismissed Murkomen's remarks as an attempt to kill questions about the Sh21 billion dams' scandal.

"Even arresting Raila Odinga for being sworn in as the People's President on 30th of January 2018 will not destruct the fight against corruption and in particular the questions about Kimwarer and Arror dams. We need to know how towels and tiles were procured on a dam project," Etale says.