Raila Apologizes, Clarifies His ‘Madoadoa’ Statement Hours After Being Summoned

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has apologised over his ‘madoadoa’ statement that he made ni Wajir County on Wednesday.

Speaking on Friday during his tour of Kisumu County, Raila clarified his statement that has caused mixed reactions from Kenyans, claiming that he meant voters shouldn’t elect non-Azimio La Umoja leaders.

The former Prime Minister said no Kenyan should be discriminated based on ethnicity.

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) had earlier today summoned Raila over the remarks that were deemed to have fuelled up ethnic tensions ahead of the August polls.

Odinga made the utterances on March 9, 2022 when he took his Azimio la Umoja campaigns to Wajir County as he continues to drum up support for his presidential bid.

“In his remarks, he mentioned the term ‘Madoadoa’ which is considered a hate speech term in Kenya,” NCIC’s Chairman Samuel Kobia said in a statement.

Kobia added that the commission, under his watch, will continue to advocate for good relations, harmony and peaceful co-existence of persons of different ethnic and racial communities while discouraging ethnic discrimination in the August General elections.

In a reaction to NCIC summon, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen raised questions in the manner in which the ODM leader’s case is being handled.

Murkomen now wants the DCI to immediately arrest Raila and put him in custody.

Murkomen in a tweet appeared to suggest that Raila should be treated the same way as Meru Senator Mithika Linturi who was arrested and arraigned for his ‘madoadoa’ remark he made in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu.

At the same time, he poked holes in the NCIC letter and questioned when he will present himself for the summon.