Governor Jackson Mandago: It wasn’t me!

Uasin Gishu County Governor Jackson Mandago has distanced himself from claims that he was part of a group of leaders who allegedly masterminded the attack on former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s convoy in his county on Friday.

Mandago was responding to the ODM leader who blamed him alongside Soy lawmaker Caleb Kositany for the assault. The outspoken county chief instead says he helped the Azimio la Umoja Presidential flag bearer to flee the scene where rowdy youth threatened to harm him.

“Raila Odinga, Junet Mohamed and Babu Owino tell Kenyans the truth. I’ve condemned the unfortunate incident & come out clear. The three used my vehicle from the compound to the helicopter, it was my security who protected Raila and his team, they only had 1 security. Junet lying?” Mandago said in a Tweet Friday night.

During the incident, Raila’s vehicles and later his chopper was pelted with stones forcing him to flee the Kabenes area of Eldoret where he had planned to address area residents. The ODM boss has attended the burial of Mzee Jackson Kibor, a renowned farmer, and businessman in Uasin Gishu.

Soon after the incident, Mandago condemned “with the strongest terms possible the act of violence directed at the former Prime Minister.” He said Uasin Gishu is a peaceful county, even as he promised to pursue the matter until the perpetrators are all brought to book.

“We have heavily invested in peace building as a region, we will not allow a few elements to take us back. I urge the security apparatus in the region to act with speed & get into the bottom of the matter. They should also be on the lookout during this charged political period,” he said.