Raila Odinga-led Azimio La Umoja party has rebuked the government after elite GSU officers blocked Simba Arati from accesing his Gusii Stadium office.
“Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition Party takes a very dim view of the incident in which a large number of General Service Unit officers laid siege to the offices of H.E. Simba Arati, the governor of the county of Kisii earlier today.”
In a statement released by Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Azimio said called bluff on a police statement that explained the situation, claiming the officers were resting at the stadium.
“Even more baffling is the attempt by the police command to brush off this bizarre incident with a mediocre explanation that only abuses the intelligence of Kenyans.”
Oparanya said the incident exposes how the govt is blackmailing governors, thereby undermining the office of Governors.
“The development undermines the authority and autonomy of governors. More importantly, it presents a very clear threat to the existence of devolved units.”
“As a believer in Devolution, Azimio will stand with governors and county governments regardless of political affiliation whenever we feel they are being brought under undue pressure for political reasons.”
Kisii County Police Commander Charles Kases has denied that a raid had occurred, claiming that the stadium was a public space and that it was common for officers to patrol the area, claiming that they had the right to be wherever.
Following last week’s raid, Mr Osoro allegedly warned that more police will be sent to combat hooliganism.
