Azimio chief Raila Odinga demanded the immediate release of Korogocho Member of County Assembly (MCA) Absalom Odhiambo, popularly known by his alias, Matakwey.
Speaking at a rally in Kibra on Sunday, February 5, Raila was drawn to claims by the elected leaders that Odhiambo was re-arrested after the court released him.
He gave the government 24 hours to release the controversial MCA, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
“Our MCA Absalom has been arrested and placed under police custody. I am calling for his immediate release before Monday, February 6,” the former premier declared.
The concerns over the ward representative were raised by Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino, who stated that the MCA was being held at the Tigoni police station in Kiambu.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Odhiambo’s lawyer, Apollo Mboya, claimed that his client was picked up by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
“He was apprehended at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 4, by officers who said the matter was a DCI case. The officers did not give any reason why he was being moved,” Mboya stated.
The advocate intimated that he would head to court on Monday to obtain orders to secure the immediate release of his client.
Meanwhile, at the rally, Babu accused President William Ruto’s administration of using the police to fight political battles – the very issues they spoke against during their campaigns.
On February 1, Milimani Court magistrate Gilbert Shikwe ordered the MCA’s unconditional release arguing that the incitement to violence charge levelled against him was not based on existent law.
The magistrate argued that the law on which Odhiambo was nabbed had been done away with and was no longer enshrined in the constitution.
Matakwey had earlier questioned the manner in which he was taken into custody and claimed that the events that transpired amounted to abduction.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE
