Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i.
Lawyers mourned the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, saying he stood for constitutionalism, the rule of law and defended all regardless of their social standing.
Mr Danstan Omari, who was Odinga’s lawyer, disclosed for the first time that it was Odinga who saved former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i from prosecution when Directorate of Criminal Investigations officers pursued him.
“I remember that when police summoned me and Dr Matiang’i to record a statement, it was Odinga who intervened and silenced the government from prosecuting us. A few days later, then DPP Noordin Haji quashed the impending prosecution,” Mr Omari stated.
Lawyer Danstan Omari (center) flanked by lawyers Shadrack Wambui and Collins Ario, mourns former PM Raila Amollo Odinga, who passed away in India.
He was referring to the intervention on the saga in 2023 by Mr Haji, then Director of Public Prosecutions, who is now the head of the National Intelligence Service.
Mr Omari said when Dr Matiang’i got wind of the imminent raid by DCI officers over undisclosed reasons, he asked him to inform Odinga.
The entry to the home of former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i after police officers attempted to gain entry.
“I called Odinga and informed him that DCI Officers were heading to arrest Matiang’i. He went to wait for them at the former CS’s Karen home. When the DCI officers found the former PM there, they drove away without effecting the arrest,” Mr Omari added.
Mombasa Governor and ODM Deputy Party Leader Abdulswamad Nassir revealed that the eagerly anticipated ODM 20th anniversary celebration in Mombasa was abruptly cancelled after he received an unexpected late-night call from party leader Raila Odinga summoning him to Nairobi.
Mr Omari, who was accompanied by lawyers Collins Ario, Holy Edward, Shadrack Wambui and Pauline Kiteng’e, said Odinga’s legacy for justice for all shall prevail and those who believe in the rule of law will pursue it relentlessly.
Mr Omari revealed that he was appointed by Odinga in 2022 to defend all demonstrators arrested for opposing the Kenya Kwanza Administration of President William Ruto.
Among those he defended after their arrest were Opiyo Wandai (now Energy Cabinet Secretary) and Babu Owino ( MP Embakasi East).
“Mr Odinga called me and instructed me to defend all the demonstrators in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Malindi,” Mr Omari said.
Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Mr Wambui said he was encouraged to defend the downtrodden through his Sheria Mtaani na Shadrack Wambui lobby group by Odinga, who devoted his life in service to the people of Kenya.
Mr Ario and Edward from Migori County appealed for calm as “those are what the deceased PM stood for.”
“Odinga loved peace and justice even though he was deprived of victory in the presidential race severally times,” the lawyers stated.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
