[ODM leader Raila Odinga during a rally in Nyamira. NASA has condemned Western envoys for allegedly betraying the people of Kenya by supporting Thursday elections. Photo/Nation]
Lawyer James Orengo has condemned Western envoys for giving opposition ‘fake’ assurances regarding NASA’s street protests over reforms in the IEBC.
At a meeting on Monday, a section of diplomats led by US ambassador Robert Godec assured the opposition that the government will provide security during the Tuesday’s demonstrations.
“I want to condemn the western diplomats who keep on giving fake assurance. They told us that police will not brutalize our people contrary to what has happened today, “said Orengo.
In their joint press conference, the diplomats disagreed with Raila Odinga’s decision to bolt out of the race but insisted that elections should go on as planned.
But in recent times, NASA has accused the team of supporting President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government at the expense of democracy in the country.
On the demonstration, Orengo said: “We have been here before when diplomats abandon us. They did so in Rwanda but we overcame. Demonstrations will go on as planned. Our supporters have been beaten when the same fellows are meeting Uhuru.”
Police lobbed teargas canisters at unarmed demonstrators despite the court restraining them from interfering with innocent protestors.
During a morning interview with BBC radio, Odinga urged his supporters to stay indoors during the Thursday’s elections.