Kioni Urges Police To Stop Looming Raid On Uhuru's Property

Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni has slammed alleged plans by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leadership to storm the properties of former President Uhuru Kenyatta as well as intending to arrest him.

Speaking outside the media centre on Wednesday, March 22, Kioni called upon police officers to intercept those plans with the intent of stopping them from taking place.

He further urged the Kenya Kwanza administration to stop using Uhuru as a scapegoat for the economic troubles in the country, including the high cost of living.

"I heard UDA people address a press conference yesterday (Tuesday, March 21) and among them, they threatened to invade the properties of Uhuru Kenyatta.

Jeremiah Kioni donning a sufuria on his head during mass protests on March 20, 2023. /RAILA ODINGA

"As the Jubilee Secretary-General, I want to state that this is taking it too far. We would want police officers to take action on any person who threatens any Kenyan's right to own property," he stated.

In addition, Kioni revealed that he had served its notice for the increased demonstrations for Monday and Thursday as declared on Tuesday, March 21 by Azimio leader, Raila Odinga.

"We have served our letter for our demonstrations on Monday and Thursday next week. We do not need permission from the police to conduct demonstrations, it is our right to demonstrate," he added.

Kioni further argued that as the Azimio coalition, it was going to restrain any of its members from destroying property but called for MPs threatening to storm Uhuru's properties to be stopped, adding that constantly dragging Uhuru into their affairs will not save the Kenya Kwanza government from being called out for its shortfalls.

"As Azimio, we're going to have peaceful demonstrations. We are restraining our members from destroying any property but we have Members of Parliament issuing threats that they will invade Uhuru's properties, which must be stopped.

"The continued use of Uhuru for all the problems they have in this country must be stopped. Their inability to govern cannot be wished away by uttering the name of Uhuru Kenyatta or his family," he went on.

Kioni also urged supporters of Kenya's fourth president to declare their true stance, which the Jubilee Party would also do in the near future.

"We are also calling upon Uhuru's supporters to also come out and state their position. We will be doing that as a party in the coming few days," he went on.

Kioni was accompanied by Wycliffe Oparanya, former Kakamega Governor, Eugene Wamalwa, former Defence CS, and Roots party leader George Wajackoyah as they also delivered their notice of the protests beginning Monday, March 27, at the office of Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei.

Barely hours after the end of Monday, March 20, mass action against President William Ruto's government, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah while addressing the media urged the police to review the evidence and charge Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga and his sponsors. 

According to Ichung'wah, the Azimio la Umoja party should be held accountable for the damage and theft of goods. He reiterated the pressuring calls by the constituents of UDA MPs to ensure the government addresses the disruption caused by the protests, even if it meant arresting the former Prime Minister as well as former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

"We ask the IG of Police not just to arrest the small boys who are paid to riot. If the buck stops at the door of Odinga, go for Odinga. If the buck stops at his sponsor's door, go for them," Ichung'wah noted.

National Assembly majority leader, Kimani Ichung'wah. /FILE