The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga has castigated President William Ruto’s administration for the current investigation into the extrajudicial killings and the proposed increased tax burden on Kenyans.

Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi on Thursday Raila defended the former Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss George Kinoti saying he investigations into the extrajudicial killings in the country have been turned into a witch-hunt against Kinoti and a section of police officers.

The former Prime Minister said Azimio believes in the sanctity of life, the rule of law and due process in the same breath that they oppose the extrajudicial killing.

He said the party believes all cases of real or perceived extrajudicial killings should be investigated and those culpable should face the law.

“As a party, we believe in the sanctity of life of every Kenyan. We believe in the rule of law. We believe in due process. We are opposed to extrajudicial executions in our country because our supporters have been the greatest victims over the years,” Rail said.

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"We believe that all, not some, cases of real or suspected extrajudicial executions need to be investigated and those responsible be punished."

However, Raila said the party was opposed to the current Kenya Kwanza trend, which he said appeared as vindictive and focused on pursuing a personal vendetta against specific individuals in both the past and current administrations.

"We are however firmly opposed to the current trend, directed by a vindictive regime and president that seems to be pursuing a personal vendetta against specific current and past State officers in the pretext of pursuing extra-judicial executions,” he said.

Raila claimed Ruto’s grudge against Kinoti and the DCI could be traced from way before the general elections and reiterated Azimio strongly disputes the persecution of the officers.

“William Ruto’s grudge against George Kinoti and the DCI started way before elections. Ruto appears to believe that the coming of the UDA regime is a perfect mandate for him to punish the officers he long had a grudge against. We are here to say no,” Raila said.