[A section of Gusii leaders addressing a press conference in Keroka. The NASA leaders managed to secure freedom for youths who were charged with treason by the state]
President Uhuru Kenyatta woes in Gusii region persisted on Monday following the release of dozens of individuals who had been detained for allegedly banning his effigy.
Authorities had arrested the youths allied to opposition leader Raila Odinga and initially proffered treason charges against them, a move that sparked outcry.
But a host of NASA leaders from Gusii region ganged up against the government and managed to secure freedom of the embattled youths.
“These were political prisoners and Uhuru Kenyatta cannot run away from it. These kinds of intimidations must end,” said lawyer Okong’o Mogeni.
“We cannot allow Jubilee to misuse courts and the police. Intimidating NASA supporters is not going to work and the Gusii people have made their political stand which ought to be respected,” added Ben Momanyi, who appeared for the embattled youths.
Similar messages of condemnations attributed to Uhuru were echoed by Governors John Nyagarama (Nyamira) and James Ongwae (Kisii).
A number of the youths were key NASA presidential campaigners in the entire Nyanza region and their freedom was thus fundamental. They were released on a Sh10, 000 cash bail and the case will be mentioned on October 2.