ODM party leader Raila Odinga’s spokesperson Dennis Onyango has allegedly been arrested.
According to ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale, Onyango was arrested during a raid at his home located along Mbagathi Way in Nairobi.
The officers are said to have ransacked the house before whisking Onyango away to an unknown location.
“Police have a few minutes ago raided the house of RailaOdinga’s spokesman Dennis Onyango, along Mbagathi Way ransacked it, and arrested him. His son says they have driven off with him in two Subaru vehicles,” Etale said in a tweet.
The opposition’s Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition shared a short video of the alleged raid at Onyango’s house on social media.
Police have a few minutes ago raided the house of @RailaOdinga's spokesman@DennisOnyangoGM, along Mbagathi Way ransacked it and have driven off with him. #MaandamanoWednesdayToFriday pic.twitter.com/Et5BB1J6Di
— Azimio TV (@AzimioTv) July 19, 2023
The raid came moments after Etale alleged that Raila’s private bodyguard had been abducted.
Etale claims Maurice Ogeta was abducted by unknown people in plain clothes suspected to be officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) while heading to work.
The guard is said to have been bundled into a waiting car and whisked away to an unknown location.
“Unknown people in plain clothes suspected to be police officers from the DCI have abducted Raila Odinga’s bodyguard Maurice Ogeta while driving to work, bundled in him in the car boot and driven away with him to unknown destination. His whereabouts remain unknown,” Etale said.
The incidents come ahead of the anti-government protests against the high cost of living in various parts of the country.
Raila, who doubles as the leader of the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition, is expected to lead the demonstrations in Nairobi.
The ‘third wave’ of Azimio protests comes amid a warning from the police to cancel the three-day activities.
Yesterday, the Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome outlawed the protests, saying the opposition leaders had not notified the police of the planned demos.
Citing last week’s protests that left a trail of destruction of property and loss of lives, the IG termed the planned demos a threat to national security and vowed to deal firmly with any person found engaging in the protests.
“In line with NPS mandate to maintain law and order; protect life and property; and preserve peace, we wish to inform the public that any demonstrations that will be held in any part of Kenya on Wednesday July 19, 2023 will be dealt with promptly in accordance with the law,” he added.
