Officials of state security agencies are sharply divided over a suggestion by a section of top government officials to arrest Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, George Wajackoya, Eugene Wamalwa and Jeremiah Kioni for leading Mass Action against Kenya Kwanza administration.
Raila has announced he will lead his ODM supporters to storm State House and demand lowering of the cost of living.
Some security officials do not want Odinga and his Azimio colleagues given space to demonstrate because it will have a negative impact on economic growth and chase away investors.
The group also argues that Odinga chaos will lead to divisions along tribal lines and put the country at a mess.
But another group argues that Kenyans are burdened by the high cost of living and will likely play well in the hands of Odinga and Azimio people.
Odinga was beaten by President William Ruto in the August 9, 2022 general elections he has maintained that he commands substantial support across the country to be wished away, he wants to stage protests at the doorsteps of the State House.
But Ruto was way ahead of Odinga, he removed all police officers who were sympathetic to Raila’s 2022 presidential and transferred them to far-flung areas.
Ruto administration then replaced them by loyal ones in strategic police positions to stem any sabotage.
The State had even pledged to provide security if Azimio held peaceful protests but that might be re-looked.
ODM followers believe their party leader cannot be arrested as the scheme to nab him takes a new direct. Top security bosses are back at the drawing board, to formulate ideas on handling Odinga’s threat to stage demonstrations at State House.
One faction is completely against the demonstrations because they are illegal while another side is taking a neutral position. They want police no to use force while handling the situation and have also petitioned the government at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take action in case the situation gets out of control.
Legal advisers want President Ruto to invoke a section in the Constitution which allows him to stop matters that might have negative effects on the state of security.
Is Arresting Raila a big headache ?
Odinga’s twitter account has already received messages from over 10,000 followers who are ready to join him in storming State House to present the petition.
The threat has kept state security agents on high alert with regular consultations over ways to neutralize Azimio.
Some members want Azimio leaders put under house arrest to stop them from staging chaos and leading the rebellions.
Members of the diplomatic core are also arguing that arresting Odinga and his friends Azimio leaders would fuel more chaos and divide the country along tribal lines. They are the same group that wants creation of positions to silence the opposition.
But the hardliners in government want Raila Odinga arrested because the State has the necessary machinery to contain the opposition chief.
They also argue that Raila Odinga and his Azimio friends are not above the law. According to them , Odinga should give his petition to Parliament or present it to Harambee House, but not State House which is a seriously protected area and the seat of power.
