Azimio challenges Ruto over DRC rebels

Azimio parliamentary leader Opiyo Wandayi now wants President William Ruto to pronounce himself on the activities of Democratic Republic of Congo rebels operating in the country, saying they threaten a diplomatic crisis between the two nations.

The National Assembly Minority Leader referred to a recent press conference in Nairobi by DRC rebel leaders, where they announced the formation of a new coalition led by the former president of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Corneille Nangaa.

Mr Wandayi was concerned that with only a day to the DRC elections, no explanation had been given by the Kenya Kwanza administration on what the rebel groups were doing in the country and why they had been given a platform to state their agenda.

“We find it extremely disturbing that while the DRC is planning to hold elections, Kenya would allow well-known Congolese rebels and armed militants to announce, right in the heart of Nairobi, the launch of a political-military alliance that includes M23 rebels and other armed groups, to destabilise DRC,” he said.

Speaking in Nairobi on Tuesday, Wandayi poked holes in a statement issued by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi where he said the country had no hand in the organization and outcome of the presser and that investigations into their activities were ongoing.

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Wandayi accused the Kenya Kwanza regime of burying its head in the sand and feigning ignorance on the matter, warning that the "move portends serious political and diplomatic ramifications if not exhaustively addressed".

“Why was the head of M23 rebel movement allowed in Nairobi when Kenyan troops were battling his soldiers in Eastern Congo? Is the Ruto regime double dealing in the DRC? Who allowed Mr. Bisimiwa into the country and for what purposes?” he posed.

He further sought to know whether the rebel leaders had been arrested, deported or were being protected by the State.

“Just how many leaders of the rebel movement in Eastern DRC and other parts of the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa are operating in Nairobi? When Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi says Kenya will work to identify the persons behind the Congo River Alliance declaration in Nairobi and  possible violations of free speech provisions, what exactly does he mean? Does he mean the government of Kenya does not know Nangaa and Bisimiwa who were at the press conference?” he said.

Wandayi noted that the rebels' activities were coming a time Kenya’s neighbours, some who in the past saw Nairobi as a neutral and safe arbiter in regional conflicts, have rejected attempts by the Kenya Kwanza top leadership to engage in their affairs.  

He called on the President to come clean on the elections taking place in the DRC and the plans with the rebels during and after the elections, lest the dalliance with the rebels be interpreted to mean his regime was keen on taking the country to the ranks of nations that work against the interests of neighbours, including friendly ones.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta also condemned the rebel alliance. “I repudiate these developments, particularly their military character, and the accompanying politically charged and provocative rhetoric," he said on Monday.