Transport CS Murkomen want Azimio leaders held liable for destruction during protests
The Roads and Transport Cabinet secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen is now calling for the government to hold Azimio leaders liable for destruction to public and private properties during the ongoing bi-weekly anti-government protests held by opposition leaders and their supporters.
This comes amid claims of alleged pro-government protesters posing and Azimio One Kenya Coalition linked to targeted destruction of properties including the recent invasion of Ruiru based land associated to retired president Uhuru Kenyatta.
The hundreds of goons captured on televised daring raid for close to ten hours uninterrupted cut down trees and stole livestock from the fire before setting it ablaze.
Speaking during a thanksgiving service organised by forty churches in Kakamega today, Murkomen said that the demonstrations were affecting the country’s economy, adding that some investors are holding back funding due to instability caused by the protests.
He said Azimio coalition should have the funds set aside for it in the Political Parties Fund withheld and diverted to his ministry to repair infrastructure damaged during the protests.
The service was held at Silungai Primary School in Malava constituency.
“We cannot be irresponsible leaders whether we are in government or out of government…Going forward, we will reach a stage when we will say that anybody who leads Maandamano and burns the tarmac or destroys rails and roads will be carriers of liability,” he said.
He added: “The money allocated to their political party which they are supposed to get from the Political Parties Fund will be deducted and allocated to the Ministry of Roads for repairs after destruction.”
“That is the only way that we are going to make sure that these political parties and political actors are going to carry out their political responsibilities with a lot of humility which is the right way to go.”
Murkomen went ahead to say that demonstrations were holding back investments in some areas.
“We are stopping investments and cannot invest in Kisumu,” he said.
Present at the thanksgiving service included: Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula among others.
Last month, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party Secretary General Cleophas Malala threatened legal action against the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) following the aftermath of demonstrations in Kisumu.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s News Night Show, Malala claimed that the Raila Odinga-led party had hired goons to destroy the recently opened UDA offices in Kisumu and torch down property.
He, therefore, said he would write to the Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu and direct the party’s advocate to file a suit in the High Court to have ODM held accountable for the damage caused.
