Oromo rebels denies plotting to assassinate Kenyan presidential aspirant

Mr. Kalonzo Musyoka, Kenya presidential aspirant, has alleged an assassination plot by the Kenyan government against him and others. He further alleged that the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) was involved in this plot. This allegation was broadcasted by Kenyan televisions and radio networks and was also disseminated in the major newspapers including the Daily Nation and the East African Standard on June 14, 2007.

The OLF vehemently denies that it plotted to assassinate Mr. Musyoka. The unfounded accusations directed at the OLF is an extension of the tyrannical Prime Minster Meles Zenawi regime’s conspiracy to spoil the good name of the OLF and create obstacles to the progress of the Oromo people’s struggle for freedom, democracy and peace. The OLF has never been nor will be in the business of serving as mercenary to assassinate leaders of any country, leave alone leaders of friendly neighboring states.

The information of Mr. Musyoka’s intelligence network implicating the OLF in the conspiracy to assassinate him and other Kenyan Presidential aspirant is totally erroneous and malicious. Apparently some elements within Mr. Musyoka’s security apparatus are double agents serving the notorious and tyrannical regime in Ethiopia known for its duplicity and fabricating
accusations. Mr. Musyoka should be warned against these elements in his own intelligence network. We recognize the handwork of the Ethiopian security that is notorious for planting double agents and spreading false and malicious information.

Mr. Musyoka’s intelligence network alleged that “. Armed dissidents of the OLF.” were spotted at Nanyuki on their way to Nairobi. It looks as if the OLF is omnipresent and omnipotent! The OLF doesn’t operate in Kenya or from Kenya. We categorically reject the alleged presence of armed OLF units in Kenya. The OLF does not; under any circumstance engage to harm Kenyans.
Kenyans are kind and generous people who are hosting thousands of Oromo and other refugees from almost all of its neighbors.

The OLF has a long-standing policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign country and that includes the Republic Of Kenya. It is the Ethiopian regime that has engaged in violations of international laws, territorial integrity and willful destabilization of neighboring
states and, we trust that Kenya cannot be an exception. We assure Mr. Musyoka that the OLF is not in the business of committing nefarious acts or serve as an assassin for any one or groups. However, he should watch out against those who fed his security personnel with outrageous canard and misinformation. These are agents of the autocratic regime of Meles Zenawi. The regime of Ethiopia is definitely fearful of the democratic development in Kenya. With time, the truth of this matter will come to light and we hope that the unfounded and malicious accusations
alleged against OLF will be publicly retracted.

Department of Foreign Affairs

Oromo Liberation Front

June 15, 2007