Orengo defends Raila over hate speech allegations

Siaya Senator James Orengo has defended National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential candidate Raila Odinga over the alleged hate speech and incitement to violence.

On Friday President Uhuru Kenyatta accused Mr. Odinga of inciting Kenyans to violence ahead of the 8th August 2017 General Elections during one of his campaign rallies – accusations that the Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko is looking into.

The president had allegedly accused Mr. Odinga of using inflammatory statements that could harm unity of the Kenyan communities, claiming that Mr. Odinga had asked certain communities to vacate wherever they live and leave the land to the ancestral people.

Senator Orengo who was speaking in Ugunja constituency has, however, come to the defense of Mr. Odinga, saying that his statement must have been misconstrued.

He noted that the Constitution of Kenya clearly says that every Kenyan is free to live wherever he is earning a living or where he or she is residing and that what Mr. Odinga meant was that communities also have got interest to land.

The legislator added that the law is very clear that the communities cannot be denied their ancestral or constitutional right over land hence no need for such kind of misconceptions.

Orengo took the opportunity to drum up support for ODM candidates led by Siaya governor Cornel Rasanga and pleaded with the electorates to embrace the six piece voting pattern to give NASA flag bearer Raila Odinga strength once elected the fifth president of Kenya.

He was flanked by Ugunja MP James Opiyo Wandayi who echoed his sentiments, adding that Mr. Odinga should win the general elections with adequate numbers both at the national assembly, Senate, County assembly’s and even at the Council of governors to be able to operate effectively.

Others who were also present included Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga and former Gem MP Joe Donde among others.