NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 19 — Nyeri Catholic Archbishop Anthony Muheria has pleaded with Opposition Leader Raila Odinga to call off Monday’s mass action urging him to use alternative means to air his grievances.
Muheria noted ongoing protests called by Odinga have so far not been peaceful and any further confrontation may plunge the country into chaos.
“We want to appeal to honorable Raila as a person and to the entire leadership of the opposition. You are in your right to express yourselves but we should not sell anything in this country that sounds revolutionary or bringing our country to anarchy,” he said.
The Archbishop warned that rising of political temperatures is unhealthy for a country whose economy is on its knees calling on politicians to stop further incitement.
“The rising political temperature and confrontation is not good for this country and for our people. I am therefore calling on the politicians to avoid incitement and resolve all the issues peacefully,” he said.
His remarks even as Odinga remained adamant that nothing will stop him and his supporters from stating protests in Nairobi.
Odinga who has refused to acknowledge William Ruto’s presidency despite a Supreme Court determination of an election petition he filed has been piling pressure on the Head of State to suspend the ongoing recruitment of new IEBC commissioners.
He has 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.
