Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party leader Raila Odinga has apologised for the chaos witnessed during the Azimio meeting in Nairobi.
In a statement, Raila said he regrets the unfortunate events, sending his unreserved apologies to journalists and leaders caught up in the melee.
He added that the coalition will take stock of the events and seal loopholes that led to the security breach.
“Raila Odinga regrets the events of yesterday and takes this early opportunity to offer unreserved apologies to the journalists and fellow leaders who got caught up in the unfortunate incident” he said.
“Odinga assures the journalists and fellow leaders that the coalition will take stock of the events and seal loopholes that led to the security breach with a view to ensuring that journalists and leaders remain safe and free at all Azimio functions, including those at the same venue” he added.
Rowdy youths disrupted a press conference called by the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition Wednesday, forcing Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to cut short a press briefing.
The goons attacked members of the fourth estate who had been invited to cover the announcement by the coalition on its next course of action following the confusion that has attempted to derail the proposed national dialogue.
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) reporter Abdiaziz Hashim was among journalists roughed up at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation.
The incident was condemned by media stakeholders including the Political Journalist Association of Kenya (PJAK).
At the same time, Raila who is the ODM leader has dismissed allegations that he is working with the government as a creation of the media.
He explained that he only supported the proposed multi-sectoral engagement with the president to resolve the crisis the country is facing.
“ODM never said that it was going into bed with Ruto… we never said it. It is a creation of the media. What we are calling for is a National Convention where all Kenyans will be brought on board to air their views. It is a fact everyone is annoyed with KK” he said.
President Ruto had announced a six-day multi-sectoral convention, that did not kick off this Monday as planned.
The forum would have brought together 150 members, 50 being youth, and 100 drawn from religious institutions, civil society, professional organizations, political parties, and other stakeholders.
