Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga has come out to defend comedian Eric Omondi after he was arrested at Parliament grounds on Tuesday, February 21.
Speaking on Wednesday, February 22 in Jeevanjee gardens during the IEBC National Prayers, Odinga stated that Kenyans have a right to protest and should be protected by the police while in demonstrations.
“Eric Omondi walienda pale kwa bunge kutetea haki ya wakenya. Walienda pale kufanya maandamano ya amani. Nataka kuwaambia kule London, mbele ya House of Commons, ukienda utapata watu hata elfu moja wakifanya maandamano na wanalindwa na polisi,” Odinga told the gathering.
He added,”Tunataka bwana Ruto na watu wake wafundishwe ati maandamano ni halali. Peaceful demonstrations is done in front of the House of Commons in the UK, it is done in front of the White House in the United State of America. Peaceful demonstrations is allowed and protected. Watu wetu wakifanya maadamano polisi wako na jukumu ya kuwasindikiza kuhakikisha kwamba wako na usalama.”
Read More
Eric Omondi was arrested after attempting to storm into Parliament buildings with a group of shirtless muscular men donning black shorts.
Their efforts to storm the Parliament buildings were however thwarted by police officers manning the gate.
The officers lobbed teargas at the protestors forcing them to disperse from the Parliament buildings.
Omondi was freed on Wednesday on a Ksh 10,000 cash bail after he pleaded not guilty to taking part in an unlawful assembly.