Kenyan opposition security detail withdrawn hours to planned protest march

The security detail of Kenya’s opposition leader, Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka has been withdrawn hours to the planned protest march against Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The government has withdrawn the bodyguards of NASA chiefs Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka with immediate effect.

"The withdrawal of my security and that of Raila is illegal. The law requires presidential candidates to have an all-round security protection," said Kalonzo Musyoka Tuesday.Confirming the withdrawal, Raila spokesman Dennis Onyango said the bodyguards were last night asked to report to GSU headquarters in Nairobi for further instructions.

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Orange Democratic Party Chairman and Suba Member of Parliament John Mbadi in a press statement ahead of their peaceful demonstration condemned the withdrawal.

“We are equally dismayed by the decision by Jubilee to withdrew the security details assigned to our presidential candidate the right honorable Raila Odinga and his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka.” He said.

“This is a dangerous precedent in bad taste and we want to tell president Uhuru Kenyatta that should anything happen to any of our principals we shall lay the blame squarely on his shoulders"

The ODM leaders have issued the government with a 24 hours ultimatum to reinstate NASA's security detail failure to which they will stage mass action.

Uhuru Kenyatta as a current holder of instruments of power is solely responsible for the security of Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka and other senior leadership of the NASA coalition

We therefore give the state 24 hours to reinstate our leaders security or face mass action right at their door step, this is not negotiable that is irreducible minimum I dare add “