The Azimio coalition has claimed that its chairman, Wycliffe Oparanya, has been arrested in connection with Wednesday’s demonstrations.
Eugene Wamalwa, the leader of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K), made the announcement at a press conference at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation.
Wamalwa said that Oparanya was being held in Kakamega by police.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki had earlier issued a statement saying that the government would not tolerate any violence or destruction of property during the protests.
Kindiki said that the government had mobilized all law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the violence.
Oparanya has denied any involvement in the violence, and he has accused the police of shooting at his car in Busia on Wednesday.
He said that he was on his way to Funyula MP Wiberforce Mundenyo’s house for a cup of tea when the police opened fire on his car.
The police have not yet commented on Oparanya’s allegations.
The demonstrations on Wednesday were organized by the Azimio coalition to protest the high cost of living and other economic woes.
The protests turned violent in some parts of the country, and there were reports of looting and destruction of property.
The government has said that it will not tolerate any violence or destruction of property, and it has vowed to bring those responsible to justice.
The demonstrations have highlighted the growing anger among Kenyans over the high cost of living.
The government has been under pressure to address the issue, but it has so far been unable to do so.
It remains to be seen how the government will respond to the demonstrations, and whether it will be able to address the concerns of Kenyans.
Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has condemned the damage to his car and the assaults by police on members of the public during Wednesday’s protests by Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition supporters in Busia County.
Oparanya said that he and his entourage were heading to the home of Matayos MP, Geoffrey Odanga, when they were pelted with stones by rowdy youths. The attack caused damage to his car, including broken windows and lights.
Oparanya also faulted the police for assaulting members of the public who were walking peacefully in town. He said that the police had no justification for using force against unarmed civilians.
Oparanya’s condemnation comes after Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga cancelled his planned rally at Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi. Odinga said that the decision was made after they received intelligence that police planned to use live bullets on civilians during the rally.
“We have witnessed savage attacks on our supporters by police officers who discriminately shot, injured and killed a number of people across the country, including here in Nairobi,” Odinga said.
The attacks on Oparanya’s car and on members of the public are a serious violation of the right to freedom of assembly and association. The police have a duty to protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of their political affiliation.
Oparanya’s condemnation is a reminder that the use of violence against political opponents is unacceptable. The Kenyan government must ensure that the police respect the rights of all citizens, regardless of their political affiliation.
Stories that inspire generations. Stories of goodwill that positively impacts on the society. This is one of those stories.
In Kakamega, like in most sections of the republic, health facilities are stretched. Basic health services may sometimes be long distances away, often demanding long travel. It’s always a blessing to have reliable, efficient health services within reach – especially maternal health care.
An incubator, a part of the medical equipment donated to Kakamega County Hospital by Mozzart.
Kakamega residents have a reason to smile, thanks to Mozzart’s CSR initiative that’s spreading across the country.
Leading gaming company Mozzart on Thursday 4 February donated medical equipment worth Ksh 3 Million to the Kakamega County General Hospital.
“When Covid-19 was at its peak, Mozzart donated medical equipment worth Ksh 10 million to 10 counties and I received this as the then Chairman of the Council of Governors. They have continued to support the communities through other initiatives and this is commendable.” Kakamega County Governor, Wycliffe Oparanya
The donated equipment included hospital beds, bed side lockers, maternity delivery beds, patient stretchers, patient monitors, an oxygen concentrator, oxygen flow meter, nebulizers, blood pressure monitors and maternity MVA kits.
At hand to receive the equipment was Kakamega County Governor Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya who thanked Mozzart for the kind gesture.
Kakamega County Governor Wycliff Oparanya speaks during the handover ceremony at the facility.
“When Covid-19 was at its peak, Mozzart donated medical equipment worth Ksh 10 million to 10 counties and I received this as the then Chairman of the Council of Governors. They have continued to support the communities through other initiatives and this is commendable,” he said,
“In Kakamega they recently dug a borehole to provide clean water to the kids at Lurambi Primary School and the community around, they have sponsored Kakamega Homeboyz to the tune of Ksh 20 Million and have now donated very vital medical equipment to our hospital. We are very grateful for their support. As a county we are committed to providing quality healthcare and the equipment is a big boost to our efforts to improve service delivery.” He added.
Mozzart Country Manager Sasa Krenta said the company was committed to supporting Kenyan communities even more.
“We are happy to be in Kakamega once again; this feel like home now. We have a great partner in Kakamega Homeboyz and we were in Lurambi to commission a new water point for the community. We are delighted to donate vital medical equipment to Kakamega County General Hospital and hope this will make a great impact in the lives of the community around here,” Sasa said,
Mozzart Country Manager Sasa Krenta speaks during the handover event at the County Hospital.
“We have spent slightly over Ksh 50 Million so far on CSR programs and we are just getting started. We are very passionate about the well-being of Kenyans and will continue supporting key projects in Kenyan communities,” he added.
Between November 2020 and now, sixteen different hospitals have received essential medical equipment courtesy of Mozzart. The facilities include Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, Pumwani Maternity Hospital, Ngara Health Centre, Chemolingot Sub County Hospital, Mathare North Health Centre, Kahawa West Health Centre, Kayole 1 Health Centre, Kayole 2 Sub County Hospital, Nyamache Sub-County Referral Hospital, Rachuonyo County Hospital, Dandora 1 Health Center, Mukuru Health Center and Dandora 2 Health Center.
More hospitals across the country are lined up to benefit in the coming weeks.
Koffi Olomide was declared persona non-grata in 2016 and deported from Kenya. The Lingala music maestro is set perform in Kakamega’s Bukhungu Stadium but there are fears Matiang’i might pull a Miguna Miguna on him.
Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya has invested so much to have Koffi Olomide perform in his county. The Congolese is set to perform at the forthcoming Council of Governor’s devolution conference in Kakamega County on April 24th.
On Monday Oparanya asked Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa to intervene and have Koffi allowed into the country. The Kakamega governor asked Wamalwa to raise the issue with his Internal Security counterpart Fred Matiang’i.
Koffi Olomide
“Our people love Koffi Olomide’s music and it will be very exciting if he will be allowed to come and perform at Bukhungu to entertain guests attending the devolution conference and Lingala music enthusiasts in the western region,” said Oparanya.
Raised the issue with the DP
Oparanya had also asked DP William Ruto to ensure Matiang’i doesn’t block Koffi from entering into the country. Speaking at a thanksgiving ceremony for Education CS Amina Mohamed held in Kakamega on April 14th, the Kakamega governor said that denying Koffi entry into the country would be a political suicide to his legacy.
L-R: Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen, Busia governor Sospeter Ojaamong, Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa, DP William Ruto, Education CS Amina Mohamed, Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Busia senator Amos Wako during Amina Mohamed’s homecoming.
“We have already facilitated his arrival and stay in Kakamega throughout the conference. We stand to lose if the government declines to let him into the country. More so, it will be political suicide to my legacy,” said Oparanya.
Section of Kenyan politicians has demonstrated maturity in politics like what we see in Western countries. These politicians went against tradition to do what wowed Kenyans.
In Kenya, whenever supporters of rival politicians or political factions meet in the campaign trail, chaos is usually what follows. The level of intolerance in Kenyan political scene is sickening.
But there have been events that indicate we are heading in the right direction; politicians meeting their rivals in the campaign trail and exchanging pleasantries instead of fighting.
Below are the few politicians who have demonstrated maturity:
Wycliffe Oparanya
Kakamega governor who is seeking re-election on ODM ticket was lauded after he was seen waving and exchanging pleasantries with Jubilee supporters while on a campaign trail in his county. Oparanya asked his supporters to desist from witch hunt and hate.
Kakamega Wycliffe Oparanya interacts with Jubilee supporters
Johnson Sakaja
Jubilee candidate for Nairobi senatorial seat lit up social media when he posted a photo of his interaction with Nasa supporters.
“Stopped to say hi to these NASA supporters who were heading to their own political engagements earlier today. Great interaction. #SiasaSafi” Sakaja tweeted on July 15th.
Johnson Sakaja interacts with Nasa supporters
Boniface Mwangi and Jaguar
Jubilee candidate for Starehe parliamentary seat Charles Kanyi Njagua alias Jaguar and Ukweli Party candidate Boniface Mwangi met during their campaign trail at Kariokor market.
The two celebrity politicians had a friendly chat and even Boniface gave Jaguar a copy of his manifesto before each camp went on their way to campaign.
Boniface Mwangi shares a copy of his manifesto to Jaguar when they met while campaigning
Evans Kidero
Nairobi governor Evans Kidero who is seeking re-election on ODM party ticket caused tongues to wag when he interacted with Jubile supporters on Friday, August 4th.
Kidero ran into Jubilee supporters while he was campaigning in Embakasi and he ended up waving and exchanging pleasantries with residents who bore Jubilee-branded shirts.
Nairobi governor Evans Kidero interacts with Jubilee supporters in Embakasi
