Raila To Sue Ruto Over Shakahola Taskforce

Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader leader Raila Odinga  is going to court, to stop the Shakahola Taskforce appointed by President William Ruto last week from investigating the Shakahola Massacre.

Raila’s remarks came after he was denied entry to the Shakahola mass grave site where 110 bodies have since been exhumed.

While speaking in Kilifi County on Saturday, May 6, during a funeral at Mwarakaya Primary School in Kilifi County, Mr Odinga claimed that President Ruto has no constitutional powers to set up the commission of inquiry, noting that only Parliament can do so.

“Nimeona bwana Ruto jana ameweka tume ya kufanya uchunguzi. Rais hana uwezo ya kuunda jopokazi ya kufanya uchunguzi. Hiyo imewekwa chini ya Bunge na juzi nimeambia bunge yetu waunde tume ya uchunguzi. Bunge inalala; haijafanya kazi hiyo,”  Odinga said.

“It is the work of Parliament to initiate the process of appointing taskforces. Thus, the President contravened the Constitution and I am going to court to stop him… mimi nitaenda mahakama kusema hiyo jopokazi ameweka ni kinyume ya katiba….  He has further gone ahead to appoint his friends in the taskforce to doctor the Shakahola report in his favour.” Odinga added

Furthermore, the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leader claimed that the president only formed the taskforce to cover-up the exact details of the Shakahola massacre.

“Wanataka kuzika hii maneno ndio sababu wanaunda tume. Tunataka kujua nani alifanya hii maneno,” 

“This is a security lapse. Where were the security agencies? Shakahola was an annex of the State House, and we don’t trust the State in probing this matter because the controversial pastor is known by powerful politicians in government,” he said.

Mr Odinga told the government to come clean on the operation after journalists were also blocked from accessing the site. “The controversial pastors conducting cultic activities have been hobnobbing with senior political leaders in the government,” he said.

During the campaigns for last year’s General Election, Mr Odinga called for streamlining of religious institutions.

“I was called ugly names including witchdoctor and whatever else. I was told I worship the devil,” he said. “But I have been vindicated.”

He lauded Kilifi residents for standing by Azimio, urging politicians who want to work with the State to resign and seek re-election. Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro swore to stick to Azimio.

“I am not like those who are being seduced by the State,” he said.

Police on Friday denied the Azimio leader and three MPs entry into the site of mass graves, saying it is a security operation zone.

RELATED Story: Raila Odinga Denied Entry Into Shakahola Mass Grave Site

Nonetheless, in a gazette notice released on Friday, May 5, the head of state named members of the commission of inquiry that will be led by Lady Justice Jessie Lesiit.

Also READ: Shakahola Massacre: President Ruto Appoints A Commission Of Enquiry 

President Ruto in the notice, stated that the taskforce will make inquiries into the deaths as well as allegations of torture and inhumane treatment of followers of the controversial pastor Paul Mackenzie and his Good News International Church based in Kilifi County.