Kenya orders arrest of opposition leader's sister

By Magdalene Mukami and Andrew Wasike

Nairobi

A Kenyan prosecutor has ordered the arrest and “immediate prosecution” of the main opposition leader's sister Monday over alleged attacks on the electoral board three days before voters are to head to the polls to elect their next president.

Raila Odinga’s sister Ruth was arrested and released on Oct. 18 with Senator Fred Outa for allegedly leading protesters in the disruption of an Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) training session.

In a statement, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko said: “Upon perusal of the file and analysis of the evidence on record, the DPP finds the evidence sufficient to warrant prosecution of the two suspects [Odinga and Outa] and their accomplices.”

The DPP ordered that the two be charged with incitement to violence, malicious damage to property belonging to Kenya’s electoral body, and obstructing an election officer in executing his lawful duties.

Raila Odinga is considered the biggest threat to President Uhuru Kenyatta as he pursues a second term in office.

However, he has vowed to boycott Thursday's disputed election re-run, saying its fairness was not sufficiently guaranteed. Instead, he is leading one of the biggest protests ever witnessed in Kenya to disrupt the electoral process.

Kenya’s Supreme Court last month annulled the Aug. 8 election -- which had been won by Kenyatta -- following a petition filed by Odinga.

The court said mass irregularities and illegalities took place during the voting, recording and transmission of results.