The Orange Democratic Party has issued a statement regarding the handling of Maragua MP Mary Wamaua, DP William Ruto’s ally, during the Azimio la Umoja event on Friday.
ODM Party National Chairperson John Mbadi said the party takes significant exception to the alleged incident that has since gone viral on social media.
"We take great exception to the incident that has gone viral on social media networks in which it is alleged that the Member of Parliament for Marugua the Hon. Mary Wamaua was harassed and manhandled by security personnel as she tried to enter Kasarani Stadium, the venue of the Azimio la Umoja National Convention yesterday,” read the statement.
According to the statement, the ODM Party regrets the incident and commits to ensuring such incidents do not recur.
“...and so as a party, we regret the ugly incident and commit to ensure such incidents do not happen again,” the statement read in part.
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The statement, Mbadi said, continued to affirm that the party leader Raila Odinga is a strong defender of women and would do anything to protect, defend and uphold their dignity.
“Our party leader is a strong defender of the rights of women and their empowerment and therefore, we shall do everything within our limits to protect, defend and uphold the dignity of women at all times,” the statement continued.
Mbadi, on behalf of the ODM Party, apologised to Wamaua and the people of Maragua for the incident.
Wamaua alleged she was harassed and mishandled by the security personnel at one entrance to Kasarani stadium when she tried to enter the venue of the event.
However, the widely shared video does not capture the alleged harassment and only shows a host of personnel manning the entrance at Kasarani trying to calm down the uncontrollable MP, who did not have an invitation card needed to access the venue.