ODM leaders targeted by Israeli goons, MPs claim

 

Nominated MP Millie Odhiambo during a media briefing at Orange House February 22,2011 where they alleged that there were two foreign mercenaries in the country targeting prime minister Raila Odinga and four members of ODM. She said she had personally been accosted by unknown people. HEZRON NJOROGE

Nominated MP Millie Odhiambo during a media briefing at Orange House February 22,2011 where they alleged that there were two foreign mercenaries in the country targeting prime minister Raila Odinga and four members of ODM. She said she had personally been accosted by unknown people. HEZRON NJOROGE

By LUCAS BARASA lbarassa@ke.nationmedia.comPosted Tuesday, February 22 2011 at 17:19

Nominated MP Millie Odhiambo during a media briefing at Orange House February 22,2011 where they alleged that there were two foreign mercenaries in the country targeting prime minister Raila Odinga and four members of ODM. She said she had personally been accosted by unknown people. HEZRON NJOROGE
By LUCAS BARASA lbarassa@ke.nationmedia.comPosted Tuesday, February 22 2011 at 17:19

Two foreign mercenaries targeting Prime Minister Raila Odinga and four other leaders are in the country, ODM has claimed.

Forty-two MPs said the mercenaries-Paul and Thomas- whom they likened to the Artur brothers were from Israel.

“ODM expresses concern over threats against the lives of its honourable members, but affirm that no amount of intimidation, coercion or threats will cow us,” ODM parliamentary group secretary Ababu Namwamba said after a meeting at Orange House.

Nominated MP Millie Odhiambo first raised alarm over the presence of the alleged mercenaries on Saturday saying their targets included Mr Odinga, National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende, MP Olago Aluoch, Namwamba and herself.

Lands Minister James Orengo repeated the claims during a rally at the Coast over the weekend.

Ms Odhiambo said the mercenaries were behind her attack in Suba at the weekend by six people armed with AK47 rifles.

“The thugs seemed to have clear instructions to threaten me. They harassed everybody in the car and took their phones but left mine. They even tried to drive the car but in vain,” Ms Odhiambo said.

Ms Odhiambo said the mercenaries held a meeting with some high-level government officials on Friday.

“I was told the two mercenaries held high-level meeting at a high level place. They have been shown the residences of the five people they are targeting and the cars they drive,” Ms Odhiambo said.

Ms Odhiambo said she believes they were being targeted because of their stand on President Kibaki’s nominations to key constitutional offices. The nominations were withdrawn.

The MPs vowed to pursue threats on the PM and four others with relevant authorities.

At the PG, ODM laid strategies to ensure the defeat of a censure motion filed by Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni against Mr Marende and firmly support his ruling against the nominees for Chief Justice, Attorney General, Director of Public Prosecutions and Controller of Budget.

“ODM MPs join the rest of Kenyans in fully and unequivocally supporting the Speaker’s ruling which only sought to uphold the constitution and stop those hell-bent on subverting the letter and spirit of new Constitution,” the MPs resolved in a statement.

The MPs chose regional chief-whips to marshal MPs in support of Mr Marende.

They said they believed there’s an evil scheme by known anti-reform forces to scuttle the Constitution implementation process “motivated by their habitual impunity and selfish personal interests, with the ultimate aim being to maintain the status quo and deny Kenyans the change they voted for so overwhelmingly.”

“ODM shall stand firm to support the constitution and no amount of money or intimidation shall stop us from ensuring it is fully implemented to free Kenyans from the hands of authoritarian leadership and masters of impunity.”

The MPs led by Mr Namwamba and Webuye’s Alfred Sambu said Mr Kioni’s motion "is misconceived unconstitutional, illegal and against the Standing Orders of the House".

“It is according inadmissible and a continuation of the vile games of impunity. One cannot challenge a ruling by the Speaker against an illegality. We reject the motion and shall fight it everywhere by all means constitutional,” the party said.

The MPs said ODM has a majority in Parliament and among Kenyans and that it has also has “intellectual capacity to stop the anti-reformers from denying Kenyans their rights. We shall defend the constitution at every level.”

The party called on the two principals to consult to move country forward.

The party announced that it will hold a major rally at Muliro gardens in Kakamega on Saturday and expressed its commitment to the new constitution. It also asked Kenyans to resist forces of impunity and status quo keen to roll back gains of the new order.