You should have arrested me, not shooting Kenyans, Odinga to police

National Super Alliance (NASA) Chief Raila Odinga has come to the defense of his supporters who were killed on his return, saying the police had the option of arresting and detaining or shooting him instead of his supporters.

Raila was speaking at Laico Regency hotel on Friday during a fundraising ceremony held in honor of the 26 NASA-allied supporters (24 men and 2 women) who lost their lives from when the opposition chief returned to the country from his ten-day U.S and U.K tour on November 17 to Tuesday, November 21.

“There’s no reason why police should go for innocent people who have come to receive Raila Odinga. If I am the problem, arrest me, shoot me but don’t kill young people with young families, you are leaving children without parents,” said an emotional Odinga.

Odinga further downplayed President Kenyatta’s swearing-in ceremony, saying the celebrations were uncalled for since the country was in mourning.

This comes hours after the President had extended invitations to his bitter rival, Odinga, and the other six presidential candidates with their running-mates t his  inauguration ceremony.

Speaking on NASA’s Tuesday plan, Mr. Odinga said that they would be holding a peaceful memorial for their fallen supporters at Jacaranda Grounds in Embakasi, adding that it would not be a rally as previously reported.

“On Tuesday it will not be a rally but a major memorial service to pray with the families to ensure that their loved ones get a descent send off,” he said.

Raila contributed Ksh. 1 million towards the fundraising of the slain victims, while co-principals Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula parted with Ksh. 100 000 each.

The funds contributed are expected to be used in burial plans of the deceased 26.