INCOVENIENCE

Prime Minister Raila Odinga told Parliament the Government was obliged to see that US Vice-President Joe Biden was safe in the country.

The PM was responding to Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo, who complained that Biden’s presence inconvenienced Kenyans, given the elaborate security arrangements.

Raila said Biden was a State guest and it was upon the Government to ensure he was safe. He said the elaborate security was not unusual, as the US is a super power and with many enemies.

"The US VP is visiting our country at the invitation of our Government… we have accommodated him appropriately. It is the responsibility of the State to provide security for the visitor and the visitor might as well decide to have his own security," said the PM.

Roads surrounding Hotel Intercontinental, where Biden is staying, have been blocked and security personnel deployed around it.

At the same time, the PM said his party, ODM, did not organise any "thuggery" in South-Mugirango.

He accused former MP Omingo Magara’s party of invading a rally organised by ODM.

"We did not organise any thuggery and we will not," he said.

On Monday, supporters of ODM and PDP clashed in Mugirango when Magara and Higher Education Minister William Ruto tried to access a venue the PM had just addressed ODM supporters.