Raila Odinga takes on the government over Juja and Bonchari constituency by-elections

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has spoken out against what he termed as abuse of police powers during the just concluded Juja and Bonchari by-elections.

In a strongly-worded statement on Wednesday morning, the former Prime Minister condemned the use of the handshake to promote personal political interests.

Without giving names, the special AU envoy claimed that the police had been used by individuals "conducting political experiments" to disrupt the mini polls.

"What we have witnessed in the by-elections in Bonchari and Juja is an abuse of police powers and an arrogant display of impunity by a few overzealous and bellicose government functionaries.

"An election process is an opportunity for the voters to express their will at the ballot and not an avenue to pursue imaginary and short-legged political interests. Security forces exist to serve the people and not the interests of those out to conduct political experiments," the ODM party leader reiterated.

Calling for an end to the alleged misuse of law enforcement officers, Mr Odinga insisted that his agreement with President Uhuru Kenyatta following the 2017 General Election was not a license to tamper with democracy.

"The peaceful co-existence post-2018 must not be taken for granted by some rogue elements wanting to confuse the handshake for an excuse to erode our hard-earned liberties! This must stop!" he stated.