Korogocho MCA Absalom Odhiambo Denies Claims of Hiring Goons to Terrorise Protesters in CBD
- Korogocho MCA Absalom Odhiambo rubbished reports linking him to the violence witnessed in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD)
- Reports emerged claiming Odhiambo and Governor Johnson Sakaja mobilised goons to terrorise anti-DIG Eliud Lagat's protesters
- He told TUKO.co.ke that through investigations, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) can know who hired goons to infiltrate peaceful demonstrations
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Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - Korogocho ward Member of County Assembly Absalom Odhiambo has angrily responded to claims that he hired goons to attack protesters in the Central Business District (CBD).
Source: Facebook
On Thursday, June 19, Daily Nation linked Odhiambo to the goons that infiltrated the anti-DIG Eliud Lagat's demonstration.
Who hired goons in Nairobi CBD?
However, speaking to TUKO.co.ke, the Korogocho MCA strongly denied the allegations that, alongside Governor Johnson Sakaja, he mobilised youths to deal with peaceful protesters.
Odhiambo argued that during the time of the demonstrations, he was having a televised interview with one of the leading TV stations in the country.
He lamented that some people have developed the tendency to tarnish his name every time demonstrations turn chaotic in the capital.
"I have seen people claiming that Governor Johnson Sakaja and I, mobilised goons during recent demonstrations. I want to appeal to those spreading that propaganda to stop. On that day, I had a show on KTN News. How can one be on TV and at the same time mobilise goons? The government has all the machinery. I want to appeal to them to trace who brought the goons into town. Don't misuse my name, each time something happens in the capital am always blamed," Odhiambo said.
The outspoken MCA challenged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to probe the matter and unravel the people who hired goons.
Source: Original
"I want to appeal to the DCI. You have my contact. You can trace where I was and who I talked to on that day, so as to establish the trust over this matter. And it's about investigating because DCI already knows who hired the goons.
Odhiambo threatened to sue the Daily Nation for linking him to the violence that was witnessed in the capital.
He wondered why the paper based its story on remarks he made in Eldoret, yet he only repeated sentiments shared by National Assembly majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah.
"I will not allow newspapers to continue writing false stories about me. And I am going to sue the Nation for putting me on the front page over false claims. The Daily Nation has quoted the remarks that I made in Eldoret, yet I only repeated what Kimani Ichung'wah, the majority leader, said. Why are you targeting the MCA? I'm more powerful than Ichung'wah?" he posed.
How much were hired goons in Nairobi paid?
As reported earlier, a senior Nairobi politician reportedly coordinated efforts to recruit and arm goons.
Media reports claimed local political mobilisers, including estate chairpersons from areas like Dagoretti North, Dagoretti South, and Mathare, were tasked with enlisting youth from informal settlements.
The recruits were armed with whips, clubs, and crude weapons and instructed to “deal ruthlessly” with demonstrators, and each was offered KSh 2,000.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
