Charge Kibor Or Release Him, Raila Tells Police

The Nation
26 February 2008

Kennedy Masibo And Wanjiru Macharia
Nairobi

Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga has demanded the release or the prosecution of arrested Uasin Gishu politician Jackson Kibor.

[ In his BBC interview confesses to participating in ethnic cleansing ]

Mr Odinga accused the police of persecuting Mr Kibor and said if they were serious they would prefer charges against him or release him.

"They have been holding him since last Wednesday and have not preferred any charges against him," Mr Odinga said outside the Rift Valley Provincial Criminal Investigations Department offices in Nakuru Town.

He was accompanied by several Members of Parliament, including the party's interim chairman, Mr Henry Kosgey.

The ODM leader had arrived in Nakuru early in the morning and sought audience with Provincial Police Officer Joseph Ashamalla.

Later, he also talked to Provincial Criminal Investigations Officer Mohammed Amin.

While speaking to Mr Amin, Mr Odinga's team asked to see Mr Kibor but had to wait for more than two hours before he arrived under the escort of CID officers.

It is said the politician was being held at Menengai Police station, over 20 kilometres from Nakuru Town.

Mr Odinga said the police had no excuse for failing to act on the matter.

"The police are overzealous in some cases but selectively apply the law in other cases," Mr Odinga said.

He said the ODM team was not there to prove Mr Kibor's innocence but challenged the police to prove their case.

Camping in Nakuru

Sources say the 73-year-old politician may face either murder or incitement charges.

Mr Kosgey wondered why the police should have investigated the case before arresting the suspect.

"Days of detention without trial are long gone. We are camping in Nakuru until the matter is resolved," Mr Kosgey said.

One of Mr Kibor's four lawyers, Mr Gordon Ogolla, claimed the police were confused as to whether to charge or release his client because they did not have any evidence against him.