NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 18 — Former Senator Cleophas Malala on Saturday threatened to state a sit-down at Raila Odinga’s Karen home is the opposition leader continues with a planned protest in the capital.
The newly-appointed Secretary General of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) said he would rally those against Odinga’s mass action to occupy his home in Nairobi’s Karen.
Speaking during a conference with Machakos County party delegates at Machakos University, Malala said the sit-in will be in retaliation of Odinga’s plan to storm State House.
Odinga has since withdrawn the threat to storm State House.
“You must know that the State House is a protected area. I am telling you Raila, I will personally march with UDA supporters to your Karen home,” he said.
Malala salvo fired a salvo at Odinga spouse Ida in an escalation over the planned anti-government protest.
“We are telling Mama Ida to prepare enough tea and ugali for us,” he taunted.
Malala: Raila followership diminished
Malala dismissed reports that a protest by Odinga would bring Nairobi’s Central Business District to a standstill saying he no longer commands a significant following.
“Raila, you think you have got the monopoly on numbers, we will show you that the government has more numbers than you,” he said.
“Let him prepare, and he should know that the State House has GSU, Recce and military. Raila, who do you have in your home?” Malala, once an ardent supporter of Odinga, quipped.
He dared Odinga to show up for the demonstrations with his two children, brother and wife.
Get your family on the streets
“I ask of you Raila Odinga to bring with you your children Winnie Odinga, Junior Odinga, wife Ida Odinga and brother Oburu Odinga to be at the forefront of the demonstrations and other ordinary Kenyans will join,” he said.
Odinga has been leading his supporters in anti-government protests seeking to pressure President Ruto to freeze the ongoing recruitment of commissioners to the electoral commission.
He insisted that four commissioners who rejected Ruto’s win were unfairly targeted and forced to resign.
The faction led by then Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera colluded with Azimio in an attempt to “moderate” election results to have Odinga declared President, according to evidence presented to a tribunal.
Cherera resigned alongside commissioners Justus Nyang’aya and Francis Wanderi. A tribunal constituted to probe the conduct of the four recommended Commissioner Irene Masit’s dismissal.
IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati on the other hand retired alongside commissioners Yakub Guliye and Boya Molu after completing their 6-year terms.
