Nairobi — Azimio leader Raila Odinga has filed a formal complaint with the police alleging attempts on his life during anti‑government protests in Nairobi’s Pipeline area. Through his lawyer, Jackson Awele, Odinga said that while his procession was moving toward Outering Road, police disrupted a peaceful demonstration by indiscriminately lob‑ ling teargas canisters, firing live ammunition and spraying pink‑dyed water at his convoy, which provoked violent reactions from his supporters. Awele argued that the police were required by law to facilitate safe passage and maintain order, not to disrupt the protest.
Odinga’s legal team further contended that police officers approached their client’s vehicle and repeatedly fired approximately ten rounds of live ammunition at it, indicating that Odinga was the actual target. “A subsequent examination of our client’s vehicle in the aftermath of the attack shows that the vehicle was skillfully targeted with our client as the intended victim,” Awele said.
The lawyer described the police’s “reckless and violent use of force” during the March 30 demonstrations as well documented and known to both the police and the public. He argued that there is reasonable cause to believe specific officers, acting on the command of the Inspector General of the National Police Service or the State, acted with malice aforethought to commit a felony—namely, to cause Odinga’s death, an offence under the Penal Code.
Awele pointed out that the conduct of those officers against Odinga and the peaceful demonstrators amounted to misconduct contrary to the Police Act and the Independent Policing Oversight Act, warranting an independent inquiry by the Internal Affairs Unit, the police disciplinary arm.
On April 1, Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga accused Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of plotting to assassinate his brother Raila. The senator said Gachagua’s statements on how to deal with the former prime minister revealed his intentions and lamented that the donor community, aware of the alleged plot, remained silent. Oburu warned the government against carrying out the assassination, saying the country would never be the same.
National Assembly minority leader Opiyo Wandayi called it “laughable” that the U.S. ambassador quickly condemned police attacks on the media while remaining silent on attempts against Odinga and other Azimio la Umoja leaders. Siaya Senator James Orengo also condemned the atrocities inflicted on Kenyans and Azimio leaders, accusing President William Ruto of hypocrisy.
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