The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition has revealed the identity of an alleged ‘killer squad’ known as Operation Support Unit (OSU), which they claim was set up by the government to harm them and protesters.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka stated during a press conference on Tuesday at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation that they have information on the identity of the squad members and how they operate.
“We know its members wear civilian clothes, they travel in groups of five people from one ethnic community,” said Kalonzo.
“They are heavily armed with lethal weapons and are better facilitated in logistics, communications and transportation.”
The Wiper party leader also claimed that OSU is to blame for the deaths reported during last week’s protests, claiming that they fired from a number of Subaru vehicles as well as a Toyota Succeed.
“This is a group that last week, killed people in Kamukunji, Mlolongo and Jogoo Road. They fired at people from unmarked green, black, grey, silver, red and white mostly Subaru vehicles and they also fired from one grey Toyota Succeed,” he said.
“These vehicles are all parked in the traffic police headquarters near Kenyatta Hospital, the Anti-Terror Police Unit and Nairobi Regional headquarters. Their only mission is to assassinate or grievously harm Azimio leaders and Kenyans protesting against government policies.”
The coalition, on the other hand, stated that they will not back down in their fight against the government, citing the high cost of living as one of their main concerns.
They stated that the protests would begin on Wednesday and end on Friday, and that they would continue every week “until the battle is won.”
Raila Odinga, leader of Azimio la Umoja, said in a statement on Saturday, July 15, that OSU, which he claimed was disbanded a while ago, has been resurrected and that it is the squad on which the government is relying for ‘kusafirisha (transport)’ Azimio leaders.
“OSU, now under a Mr. Zakary Kariuki, was disbanded a few years ago and its members sent home. The squad is back. Last Wednesday. OSU was in Kamukunji, Jogoo Road and Mlolongo firing at protesters and killing some. OSU’s main brief is to hurt and execute Azimio leaders and protesters.”
