Stop Attacking Raila, ODM Leaders Tell Miguna Miguna

Leaders drawn from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party have come to the defense of their leader Raila Odinga after self-declared National Resistance Movement (NRM) general Miguna Miguna launched attacks on him.

On Saturday, Miguna lashed out at the Opposition leader, claiming that he failed to come to his aid in the citizenship standoff with the government, which saw him kicked out of the country for the second time.

“Raila Odinga cannot and should not be enjoying Easter abroad and dining with the tyrants when the person who swore him in as the people’s president is being “murdered” by those who stole his election and who have killed and maimed his supporters,” he said in a statement from Dubai.

However, ODM leaders led by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said that Raila did his best to rescue Miguna and warned him against further attacks on the National Super Alliance leader.

“We have documented all the efforts Jakom (Mr Odinga) has put in to help Miguna. Mzee has instructed all his lawyers, including myself, to work on the case at great peril.

“The team led by [Siaya Senator James] Orengo have been on this matter since he was arrested in February,” Mr Sifuna said.

He went on: “We have suffered brutality both from police and State sympathisers. Our passports have been revoked! Mzee has personally been coming to court. He was at the airport risking his own safety. I therefore don’t see how anyone can say that Mzee has abandoned Miguna.”

ODM head of Political Affairs Opiyo Wandayi said that as much as they sympathise with Miguna, he must respect Odinga.

“Raila Odinga as an institution, is a no-go zone for him to spew vitriol. He and Raila don't play in the same league. As far as we're concerned, the moment he starts showing open disrespect for Raila, he crosses the red line,” Mr Wandayi said.

He added: “I urge the concerned State officials to facilitate his return to the country as soon as possible so that he can resume his normal life without unnecessary drama.”

Homa Bay politician Hilary Alila castigated Miguna over his claims, alleging that he is being used to damage Raila's reputation.

"We have realised the issue is a scheme set up by himself to undermine the credibility of Raila Odinga," he said.

“We realise there are deliberate attempts by Miguna to water down the gains of the new working relationship between Raila Odinga and President Kenyatta and Miguna must style up for the sake of the country,” Mr Alila said.

“We have seen all efforts by Mr Odinga to save Miguna and even braving the heavily armed security authorities at the airport to try and secure Miguna’s release was a clear indication the former Prime Minister was committed to protect him,” said Mr Alila.

Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi said: “We have noticed that the political realignment of 2022 is coming into play and Miguna is being used by NIS agents aligned to forces within Jubilee Government against unity of purpose between HE Raila Odinga and HE Uhuru Kenyatta."

“We are not going to spare him. If he continues to undermine Raila Odinga we shall not spare him and shall support his deportation. He has touched a live wire,” the legislator said.

Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda said that Miguna should blame himself for his troubles instead of dragging the name of Raila in his mess.

“He is generally a reckless person. Raila would not even have gone to the airport to see him if he never supported him,” said Dr Ochanda.

“That is the requirement. You must give your travel documents. Of course he was worried that his passport could be confiscated but we could have fought a different war rather than refusing to give it to officials,” Dr Ochanda said.