- He went ahead to dismiss the notion that the ODM leader's arrest would plunge the country into chaos.
- "I want to tell you, without fear of contradiction, that nothing will happen to Kenya if Odinga is arrested."
Image: FILE
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah now says opposition chief Raila Odinga should be arrested for leading "destructive" demonstrations.
Speaking to The Standard, Ichung'wah said during the previous regimes, Raila has been a messenger of fear, leading to conclusions that he was untouchable.
"I am urging police to arrest Raila Odinga for perennially putting Kenya on the edge with illegal and destructive protests," he said.
He went ahead to dismiss the notion that the ODM leader's arrest would plunge the country into chaos.
"I want to tell you, without fear of contradiction, that nothing will happen to Kenya if Odinga is arrested."
During the first anti-government protests on March 20, a number of Azimio leaders including Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi and Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo were arrested and subsequently arraigned at the ATPU courts in Kahawa.
Noting this, the Kikuyu MP said the State should not only go for the "small fish" but also the demonstrations' top organiser.
Reiterating his call for Raila's arrest, Ichung'wah said the former Prime Minister was blackmailing the government, adding that he should follow the rule of law to settle his grievances.
"If one allows blackmail to continue, it never stops. Let's follow the rule of law in airing and resolving our grievances. And if one breaks the law, like Odinga is doing, then he must be arrested and prosecuted. I'm challenging the Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome to arrest Odinga," he said.
Speaking on the calls for dialogue, Ichung'wah said the talks do not have to be between Raila and President William Ruto.
He proposed that the Azimio MPs and Senator document and present their grievances to the Parliament.
"We must not allow Kenya to be blackmailed into negotiations that only serve the interests of two people, in this case, Ruto and Odinga," he said.
"Azimio has 160 MPs in the National Assembly, they have more than 20 senators in the Senate. It is in Parliament that Kenyans' issues are highlighted and solutions suggested. You cannot bring down the cost of living by disrupting the economy."
Speaking during Monday's demonstrations, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua warned against any plans to arrest Raila.
She said any attempt to do so will be disastrous to the country.
"I want you to understand that they want to arrest Baba. If they lay a hand on him, they lay a hand on Kenya," she said.