In Summary
The government on Tuesday made an about turn and dismissed as
fake documents that purported that the military will be used to rig next
week’s elections.
Defence
Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo said after investigations, they found
that the documents that were circulated by Nasa “are fake in all
aspects”.
“We also aver that
the ministry has carried out investigations to establish the veracity,
authenticity and source of the documents recently submitted by Nasa to
the press. We can state categorically that these documents are fake in
all aspects,” said Ms Omamo.
Military
spokesman Joseph Owuoth had earlier confirmed the documents were
genuine but accused the politicians of quoting a legitimate operation
out of context.
GONE MISSING
The
remarks came as the Defence ministry on Tuesday lashed out at Kisumu
Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o for claiming Col Owuoth had gone missing. Ms
Omamo presented Col Owuoth to the media and told politicians not to drag
the military into their affairs.
“An
alarming and irresponsible statement was made by Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o
to the effect that Col Joseph Owuoth had gone missing or had been
possibly killed.
He is not missing and is present here with us alive and well,” she said.
Ms
Omamo added: “These alarmist statements not only threaten the security
of the State but cause great anxiety to the officers concerned and their
families and expose them to danger.
We
continue to urge Kenyans to remain peaceful as we approach the General
Election and assure you KDF will remain apolitical and professional and
will carry out their duties as required by the Constitution.”
Mr
Owouth said he was not in contact with all members of his extended
family and, therefore, some may have panicked when they could not reach
him.
LARGE FAMILIES
“As Africans, we have very large families and I’m not in contact with all my family,” he said.
The
CS also said Prof Nyong’o’s statement was aimed at destabilising,
fracturing and causing division and disaffection within the ranks of the
Kenya Defence Forces.
“In
addition, it precipitates fear and apprehension across the country. We
would urge politicians to leave the country out of their political
discourse,” she said.
Nasa and Jubilee leaders engaged in a war of words over claims Mr Owuoth had gone missing.
Mr Owuoth told the Nation
that he was “okay and working”, moments after his family claimed he
could not be traced, a matter the Opposition leaders had called a press
conference to speak about. “I’m okay and I don’t know where these
reports are coming from,” he said.
COMPULSORY LEAVE
Nasa
presidential campaign team in Nyanza, led by Homa Bay woman
representative Gladys Wanga, senators Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu), Moses
Kajwang’ (Homa Bay), MPs Aduma Owuor (Nyakach), Fred Outa (Nyando) and
Oburu Oginga (nominated) had, at a press conference in Kisumu Town,
alleged that Mr Owuoth had been sent on compulsory leave and could not
be traced by his family.
The
claims were backed by Mr Owuoth’s sister Elizabeth who said she had
reported to the police that her brother was missing. She did not
disclose the police station.
But
Kisumu County police boss Titus Yoma said he was not aware of such a
report. “I have no information about that rumour,” Mr Yoma said.
At
the news conference held at Nyanza Club in Kisumu, Prof Nyong’o had
said: “Information we have is that Col JM Owuoth was sent on compulsory
leave and ordered to go back to his rural home in Koru.”
But Jubilee politicians cautioned Nasa leaders against making “unsubstantiated statements”.
LOSE ELECTIONS
National
Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale said Nasa was already aware they
were going to lose the elections and were engaging in a “systematic
propaganda where they can even kill Kenyans because they believe in
ethnic politics”.
“The contest
in the General Election is about the future of Kenya. So, we are telling
the Opposition, ‘you have seven days to sell your ideas. You should not
sell lies, propaganda and ethnic hatred among Kenyans’,” Mr Duale told Nation.
Elgeyo-Marakwet
senator Kipchumba Murkomen said: “Nasa is desperately looking for an
excuse to explain their impending spectacular defeat.”
Unfortunately, he said, they are playing with human life and “inciting ethnic passion”.
Senate Majority Whip Beatrice Elachi accused Nasa leaders of “setting the country on a wrong footing”.
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