Odinga condemns invasion of Kenya ex-leader’s farm

Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga has condemned the invasion of the property of former president Uhuru Kenyatta.

In an interview with the BBC, he said he believed the attack was carried out by “goons” hired by the government.

Mr Kenyatta is an ally of Odinga’s. Monday was the second day of anti-government protests called for by Mr Odinga over claims he was cheated at the last election as well as rising living costs in the country.

The looting of Mr Kenyatta’s large farm is seen as retaliation for his support for Mr Odinga.

More protests are planned, the next on Thursday. But the government has condemned the violence and disruption caused by the demonstrations.

Mr Odinga told the BBC he bears no responsibility for the destruction of property by protestors and defended the constitutional right to demonstrate.

He says it’s unfortunate that journalists were targeted by police and protesters during the course of Monday’s protests.

He criticised some of President William Ruto’s economic policies saying even though the cost of living is a universal problem, many countries have tried to cushion their citizens due to the global recession, but the Ruto administration has removed subsidies and citizens are now suffering more

Mr Odinga said he was willing to meet with President Ruto for talks but stated two preconditions needed to be met. Firstly, that the electronic election servers be opened to verify if last year’s vote was rigged and secondly that the selection of new commissioners of the election body should involve all parties.

Kenya’s Supreme Court dismissed Mr Odinga’s case challenging his election loss last August, but he still insists the ruling was influenced.