Dr Isaac Newton Kinity has challenged Raila Odinga to disclose the individuals behind the alleged coup attempt or face prosecution for making false claims.
He argues that Odinga’s statement, made eight months after the supposed coup, raises more questions than answers.
“A few days ago, Raila Odinga claimed he saved President William Ruto from a military coup in June 2024. Why did he wait this long to speak about such a serious matter?” Dr. Kinity questioned.
Fate of the Alleged Coup Plotters
Dr. Kinity expressed concern over the fate of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers linked to the alleged coup. He questioned whether they were still alive or had been secretly eliminated.
“So far, no one knows if any KDF officers have been killed over these allegations. This situation mirrors what happened when Oscar Sudi issued a chilling warning to General Francis Ogolla. Shortly after, the general died in a helicopter crash,” he noted.
The Kenyan government has yet to provide a detailed explanation for the five helicopter crashes that have occurred since Ruto took office. The lack of transparency raises suspicions about a possible cover-up.
Kenyan Law and Due Process
Dr. Kinity emphasized that the Kenyan Constitution guarantees fair trials for all citizens. He insisted that any individuals implicated in the alleged coup should face legal proceedings instead of being dealt with in secrecy.
“The law is clear any Kenyan accused of a crime should be tried in court, not prosecuted behind closed doors. Why has there been no legal action if a coup attempt actually took place?” he asked.
Low Salaries and Possible Political Motives
Dr. Kinity linked the coup claims to the ongoing concerns over KDF salaries, which he has been actively advocating for. He noted that Kenya pays its soldiers far less than neighboring countries, making them vulnerable to frustration.
“The minimum salary for a KDF recruit is only $55 per month. In comparison, Tanzanian soldiers earn $413, Burundian soldiers $178, and Rwandan soldiers $170,” he stated.
He suggested that the coup allegations might be a strategy to distract from these concerns or to instill fear among soldiers.
“Is this sudden outcry over a coup attempt an attempt to silence the KDF? Could it be a way to prevent them from reacting to the unbearable suffering caused by corruption?” he posed.
Parallels to the 1980s Mwakenya Crackdown
Drawing comparisons to past political events, Dr. Kinity recalled how former President Daniel Moi used the Mwakenya movement to justify the arrests, torture, and killings of innocent Kenyans.
“In the 1980s and 1990s, Moi created a fake opposition movement called Mwakenya. He used it to justify crackdowns on those he perceived as threats. Is history repeating itself?” he questioned.
Dr. Kinity speculated that the coup claims might be a scheme to frame and arrest innocent Kenyans ahead of the 2027 elections.
A Warning to the Government
Regardless of the motive behind these allegations, Dr. Kinity warned that the Kenyan government must address the growing unrest within the military.
“As I have said before, unless the minimum salary for KDF officers is raised to Kshs 50,000 per month, nothing will be easy for William Ruto within the military,” he concluded.
