Raila Odinga: I Will Free All Petty Offenders, Go After High Profile Graft Suspects

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya party presidential flagbearer Raila Odinga has pledged to free petty offenders should he clinch the country’s top seat at the upcoming August polls.

Odinga, speaking in a virtual rally on Friday, castigated the country’s judicial system for prioritizing the arrest of petty offenders instead of going after high-profile persons facing more serious crimes such as graft charges.

The ODM party leader was referring to the case of one Alvin Linus Chivondo, a man who was sentenced to a year in prison after he pleaded guilty to stealing cooking oil at a local supermarket on Monday.

Chivondo was only freed from the Industrial Area Prison after former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko intervened and paid his Ksh.100,000 fine on Thursday. 

“This is a very worrying case, it shows just how flawed our judicial system can be at times. He is just a petty offender but he was sentenced quite quickly yet we have persons facing graft cases. In most cases, they are not even arrested and when they are apprehended they get out of remand quickly,” said Odinga.

“When they are freed on bail, nobody follows up on their cases. We have a lot of petty offenders in our prison but in the event I clinch the presidency, I will free them and I will prioritize the arrest and sentencing of high profile gangsters.”

The former Prime Minister, in his address, also wished Kenyans a festive Easter holiday, urging them to be cautious on the roads and enjoy the festivities in moderation.

“I wish you a great Easter Holiday to all Kenyans, wherever you may be. Be careful on the roads so that we do not lose more lives on the road. Enjoy the Easter festivities but do not overdo it. I will see you after the Easter Holiday. God bless you all,” he said.