ODM disowns former Raila aide linked to Zimbabwe election violence

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has denied reports that former Raila Odinga aide Silas Jakakimba travelled to Harare, Zimbabwe, on behalf of the party or the opposition leader.

This comes in the wake of news headlines in Zimbabwe claiming that Jakakimba played a pivotal role in the chaos that followed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s election victory.

In a statement to newsrooms on Tuesday , ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen stated that Jakakimba only worked for Odinga when he was Kenya’s Prime Minister, adding that he (Jakakimba) is currently neither an employee of the ODM party or the Raila Odinga Secretariat.

“Southern Africa media has claimed that Mr Silas Jakakimba was involved in organizing violence that rocked Harare where several people were reportedly killed and scores of others injured in the skirmishes, hence being blamed on H.E. Raila Odinga,” said Ong’wen.

“The ODM wishes to state that Mr. Jakakimba travelled to Harare on his own volition and was neither representing the party or the party leader.”

He further added that neither the party nor the former premier himself sent any representatives to Harare either to witness or observer the Zimbabwe elections.