Court Frees ODM Politician After Raila Ultimatum

Korogocho Member of County Assembly (MCA) Absalom Odhiambo was on Monday, February 6 freed by the Nairobi Court on Ksh100,000 cash bail.

The MCA pleaded not guilty to two charges against him of incitement to violence.

Odhiambo was arrested for a second time over the charges against him on Saturday, February 4. 

On the first account, Odhiambo was charged with incitement following statements he made in January 25, 2022, while addressing opposition members at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation House- Capital Hill in Kilimani, Nairobi County.

The second charge against him, the  Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) believed that the political leader acted in offensive conduct explaining that he made a suggestion to the opposition leaders to get President William Ruto Out of State House. 

Earlier on February 1, Milimani Court magistrate Gilbert Shikwe ordered the MCA’s unconditional release after a three days detention arguing that the incitement to violence charge levelled against him was not based on existent law.

Matakwey had earlier questioned the manner in which he was taken into custody and claimed that the events that transpired amounted to abduction.

Speaking at a rally in Kibra on Sunday, February 5, Azimio leader Raila Odinga addressed the re-arrest of the MCA ordering the government to release Odhiambo within 24 hours.

Raila’s concerns were a result of an alarm raised by Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino, who claimed that the MCA was being held at the Tigoni police station in Kiambu.

Our MCA Absalom has been arrested and placed under police custody. I am calling for his immediate release before Monday, February 6,” Raila demanded.
 

More to follow…