A group of rowdy youth attacked the Azimio la Umoja Presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his team at Kabenes in Uasin Gishu County on Friday.
Raila and leaders allied to Azimio la Umoja coalition were in Uasin Gishu County to attend the burial of his long-time friend Mzee Jackson Kibor.
Raila has issued a statement terming the events as unfortunate.
“The threat came in the form of youth; mobilized, armed and paid to cause mayhem and disorder, destroy property and even take away lives in a bid to create political zones in the country,” Raila said.
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During the unfortunate incident, Raila’s helicopter and vehicles were pelted with stones and badly destroyed by the youth.
“In the event that took place at Kabenes in Uasin Gishu, youth attacked my plane, destroying the air shield with rocks that were clearly aimed at me. On my way to the plane, they had pelted my vehicles with stones,” the ODM leader said.
Raila said he held two leaders from the region responsible for his attack and called on them to condemn the incident.
He also asked them to promise an end to such acts that threaten to polarise the country along tribal lines
“For today's unfortunate events, I hold Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandagor and Soy MP. Hon. Caleb Kositany responsible,” Raila said.
“I call on the two, and all leaders from the region who believe in our constitution, to come out now, not later, condemn the incident and promise an end to the bizarre attempts to balkanize the country into ethnic and tribal party zones ahead of August election.”
Raila thanked the security personnel who acted fast and ensured his safety and that of the leaders who accompanied him to Uasin Gishu.
Despite the violence meted out on him and his team, Raila said he remains optimistic that Kenya will hold free and fair elections.
Raila was accompanied by among other Migori MP Junet Mohamed, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino among others.
