Raila and allies demand justice over poll shooting

Top Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders led by party leader Raila Odinga yesterday attended the burial of Michael Ngumbao who was shot in last week’s Ganda Ward by-election.

The leaders condemned Ngumbao’s killing during the campaigns and called for justice including prosecution of the culprits.

According to Raila, the killing went against the spirit of the handshake between him and President Uhuru Kenyatta that promised that no Kenyan would die because of an election.

“The death of Jola has saddened the whole country. He has died a very young man at 45. I, together with Uhuru vowed that politics will never divide us,” said Raila.

Michael Jola Ngumbao, uncle to Ganda ward MCA-elect Reuben Katana, was killed on October 15, two days to the by-election.

Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa and her aide, Geoffrey Otieno Okutoo, were arraigned in court over the killing.

Cover up

But Raila, who was accompanied by Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi, Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho as well as ODM minority chief whip in Parliament, Junet Mohamed, claimed a cover-up in the killing. “The culprits of the killings of our brother Jola must be brought to book and I am shocked that they are still walking free. They should be arrested and charged,” he said.

Raila appealed to Kilifi residents to wait for the BBI report and rally behind it saying it would promote inclusivity in the country.

The ODM leaders condoled with Jola’s family, saying his death came at a time when the country was looking for cohesion.

They said the party would institute disciplinary procedures to remove Jumwa from her position as a Parliamentary Service Commission commissioner.

“That position of commissioner was reserved for Malindi people, but Jumwa has continued to embarrass our party. Something punitive is coming her way,” said Junet Mohamed.

Kilifi women representative Getrude Mbeyu said that she will start collecting signatures to recall Jumwa.

Magarini MP Michael Kingi, who was injured during the chaos at Katana’s home, claimed that ODM youth leaders in Kilifi County were being targeted.