On September 29, 2014, a shocking incident unfolded in Mombasa, Kenya, when Raila Odinga, the former Prime Minister was publicly assaulted.
This event not only made headlines across the nation but also sparked widespread discussions about political violence and the state of democracy in Kenya.
The incident occurred during a political rally at Kinango market in Kwale County, where Raila Odinga was addressing supporters.
As he spoke, a man named Lengo Mdzomba, armed with a cane, stormed the stage and struck Odinga multiple times.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attack was sudden and unexpected, leaving many in the crowd in shock.
The assailant was quickly subdued by security personnel and arrested on the spot.
Motives Behind the Attack
While the exact motives of Mdzomba were not immediately clear, it was later revealed that he had a history of mental health issues.
Reports indicated that he had been involved in previous violent incidents, including an attack on Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya during the same rally.
Mdzomba’s actions were seen as a manifestation of the rising political tensions in the country, where political rivalries often escalate into violence.
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Aftermath and Legal Proceedings
Following the attack, Raila Odinga and Mvurya chose to forgive Mdzomba, which led to the withdrawal of assault charges against him.
The Kwale court subsequently released him after he paid a fine of KSh 5,000.
This decision was met with mixed reactions from the public, with some praising the leaders for their forgiveness, while others criticized the leniency shown towards violent acts.
In the wake of the incident, Mdzomba claimed that he had been abandoned by Haki Africa, a human rights organization that had previously offered him support.
He alleged that they failed to fulfill promises regarding his medical treatment for a tumor.
However, Haki Africa officials refuted his claims, stating that they had been in contact with him and had even provided bail after his arrest.
Who is Raila Odinga?
Raila Amolo Odinga, born on January 7, 1945, in Maseno, Kenya, is a prominent Kenyan politician and businessman.
He is the son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, the first Vice President of Kenya.
Raila Odinga served as the Prime Minister of Kenya from 2008 to 2013.
A position he assumed following a contentious presidential election in 2007 that led to widespread violence and a power-sharing agreement with then-President Mwai Kibaki.
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Raila Amolo Odinga Political Career
Odinga’s political career began in the early 1990s when he was elected as a Member of Parliament for Langata Constituency in 1992.
He has since been a key player in various political movements, including the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which he founded in 2005.
Throughout his career, Odinga has run for the presidency five times, facing allegations of electoral fraud in each attempt, particularly in the 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022 elections.
Educated in East Germany, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering, Odinga initially worked as a lecturer and later in various engineering-related businesses.
His political activism began in the 1970s, leading to multiple arrests and detentions during the authoritarian regime of President Daniel arap Moi.
Despite these challenges, Odinga has remained a resilient figure in Kenyan politics, advocating for democracy, human rights, and economic reforms.
In 2024, he announced his candidacy for the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, marking another significant chapter in his long political journey