Raila blocked from seeing MPs, wants them released in 24hrs before charges

Why does this man behave as though he owns Kenya? Or as if he hold the breath of all living Kenyans?

Jun. 16, 2016, 12:00 pm, By NANCY AGUTU @nancyagutu

Cord leader Raila Odinga addresses the media at Pangani police station where some of the politicians arrested over hate remarks are being held, June 16, 2016. Photo/COLLINS KWEY

Cord leader Raila Odinga has warned of "consequences" if politicians arrested over incitement remarks are not released in 24 hours.

The politicians include Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama and woman representatives Florence Mutua (Busia) and Aisha Jumwa (Kilifi).

The others are MPs Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete), Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati), Timothy Bosire (Kitutu Masaba) and Junet Mohamed (Suna East)

Raila said on Thursday that they are being held without charged and that this "basically amounts to detention without trial".

He asked the government to desist from the "authoritarianism".

"These members must be released without charge in the next 24 hrs. If it does not happen there will be consequences," said the opposition chief.

Raila spoke at Pangani police station where six of the politicians are being held. He was with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang'ula.

After an address to the media, they left for Muthaiga police station where Mutua and Jumwa are being held.

Kalonzo said they had been at the station for three hours but were not allowed to see the politicians.

He said it is "gross abuse" of human rights to detain politicians without giving them food. 

"We want to remind those concerned, and we know them, that the constitution is very strong on the bill of rights," he said.

He added: "We are not making any distinction. All of them including Jubilee politicians must be released."

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The Cord co-principals said they will issue a statement from Capitol Hill in an hour, on the way forward.

Police in full riot gear earlier cordoned off the area and guarded the detention area to keep the leaders from visiting those being held.

Chief magistrate Daniel Ogembo upheld an application by the prosecution for the suspects to be held saying the case is of great public interest.