Raila Odinga, Kenya’s opposition leader, has condemned the invasion of former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s property.
In an interview, he stated that he believed the attack was carried out by government-hired “goons.”
Mr. Kenyatta is Odinga’s ally. Monday marked the second day of anti-government protests called for by Mr. Odinga in response to allegations that he was cheated in the last election and rising living costs in the country.
Mr. Kenyatta’s large farm was looted in retaliation for his support for Mr. Odinga.
More protests are planned, with the next one scheduled for Thursday. However, the government has condemned the demonstrations’ violence and disruption.
Mr. Odinga said that he bears no responsibility for the protestors’ destruction of property and defended the constitutional right to demonstrate.
He laments the fact that journalists were targeted by police and protesters during Monday’s demonstrations.
He criticized some of President William Ruto’s economic policies, claiming that while the cost of living is a universal issue, many countries have tried to cushion their citizens due to the global recession, but the Ruto administration has removed subsidies, causing citizens to suffer even more.
Mr. Odinga stated that he was willing to meet with President Ruto for talks but that two conditions must be met. First, the electronic election servers should be opened to see if last year’s vote was rigged, and second, all parties should be involved in the selection of new election commissioners.
Mr. Odinga’s case challenging his election loss last August was dismissed by Kenya’s Supreme Court, but he maintains that the decision was influenced.
