Midiwo gives names at CID questioning

By Cyrus Ombati and Felix Olick

Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo handed to police the names of senior Government individuals he claims are plotting to assassinate Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Mr Midiwo said he would not reveal how he got the information, but insisted it is credible.

And as Midiwo was recording his statement with the CID in Nairobi, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission raised the red flag over rising tension in Nyanza over an alleged plot to assassinate Raila.

NCIC Chairman Mzalendo Kibunjia said the commission had received credible information over the rising tension. Speaking to the Press in his office in Nairobi on Tuesday, Kibunjia accused Midiwo of making sensational claims in public instead of reporting the matter to police.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga with ODM supporters in Mandera County where he opened a party office on Tuesday. [Photo: PMPS]

He cautioned leaders against making statements that could cause tension or violent conflicts between communities.

However Kibunjia’s allegations of rising tension were dismissed by a section of Kisumu residents, terming them alarming.

Nyanza Provincial Criminal Investigations Officer Joseph Magwanja said police had not received any report of tension.

“We are not aware of that, and there is no indication at all in the town. The situation is normal here in Kisumu,” he said.

Jakoyo, who spent two hours at the CID headquarters, denied linking Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Ongeri to the assassination plot, arguing he had only challenged him to clarify some issues.

“Prof Ongeri is trying to invite himself to the whole issue. I don’t remember linking him to the same. All I asked him was to clarify some part of the plot,” he said, and dared the minister to sue him.

He said he asked Ongeri to investigate the alleged involvement of foreign individuals in the plot.

Midiwo was accompanied by several ODM MPs, among them, Cabinet ministers James Orengo and Anyang’ Nyong’o, MPs Millie Odhiambo, Ababu Namwamba, Rachael Shebesh, Olago Oluoch, John Mbadi, and Edick Anyanga.

The Government Chief Whip arrived at CID headquarters at 2pm and left two hours later. He declared he had revealed the names and other details on the alleged plot to the head of investigations at CID headquarters, Mohamed Amin.

“I have given them the information they wanted. It is up to them to investigate. The issue of security touching on the Prime Minister deserves much seriousness and attention,” he said.

Orengo said the Gem MP is not a suspect, but he is simply assisting the police to investigate a grave issue.

The minister said Midiwo was not grilled, but provided the police with the information they wanted to enable them investigate the alleged plot.

And after meeting Midiwo, Amin met with CID Director Ndegwa Muhoro for a briefing before the same information was relayed to the Commissioner of Police Mathew Iteere. They all remained tightlipped on the details of Midiwo’s statement.

Midiwo first spoke at the weekend in the presence of the PM and Cabinet ministers Nyong’o (Medical Services), Dalmas Otieno (Public Service), and Orengo (Lands) during the burial of Dr Leah Gondi in Bondo District.

“I am willing to testify under oath because if I don’t say it now, nobody would,” said the MP.

Mr Midiwo alleged that a meeting was held last Sunday, which brought together two ministers, a senior security officer, and a Permanent Secretary during which elimination of the PM was discussed as the last option in swinging Kibaki succession race.

On Tuesday, Namwamba said the allegations made by the MP should not be taken lightly.

“This country has had a sad history of political assassinations. The allegations touch on the security of the PM, and as a party we are determined to make sure this issue is investigated thoroughly,” said Namwamba.

As PM, Raila enjoys round the clock high-level security provided by the elite Recce Company of the General Service Unit.

After Midiwo made the allegations, police summoned him to Bondo divisional headquarters before the detectives there were ordered to hand over the case to Nairobi.

Ongeri has denied being part of the plot to kill the PM. He said his professional ethics, as a doctor, would not allow him to kill.

 “I am always a crusader for peace and not a crusader for discontent and that is what I always preach wherever I am,” he said.

He said he had instructed his lawyers to get the video clip of Midiwo’s allegations and check its content before taking any legal action.

On Tuesday, Kibunjia announced that the commission has issued a cessation notice to the Gem MP requiring him to be cautious with his language and alerted the police to watch for further utterances on the matter.

“The relative peace that we have enjoyed thus far as a country could easily go up in flames as a result of irresponsible actions and statements. How we move forward as a country will depend on sober leadership and restraint,” cautioned the NCIC boss.

The commission told President Kibaki and Raila that they have a duty to continue holding the country together.

Kibunjia said the two leaders have their work clearly cut out, especially now that the country is headed to the General Election.