Orina Ontiri
Kobia claims group assaulted him over remarks about Raila Odinga
Controversial businessman Paul Kobia alias Paul Ilunga Ngoei has claimed a group of youths assaulted him at a Nairobi hotel over a remark he made in YouTube video regarding former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Kobia who had blood stains on his left ear, swollen face and torn shirt said he had driven into a popular joint in Hurlingham area for lunch when he was confronted by a group of youth who demanded to know why he had threatened Raila. “We exchanged bitter words before some of them hit me severally and tore my shirt as they tried drag me into a waiting car. I feel a lot of pain in me now,” said Kobia. He said he managed to sneak out of the joint after one of the youths sympathised with him and asked his colleagues to let him go. However, a statement from ODM’s Communications Secretary Philip Etale said Kobia was armed and had planned to attack Raila at the restaurant.
“He thought the bodyguards didn’t know him, one stopped him as he tried to enter, asked him where he was going yet he was on video threatening to kill Raila. He started confronting the officer, others joined and he was resisted.” Etale said. Kobia was trembling when he arrived at The Standard Newsroom to narrate his ordeal. He said he was yet to report to police on the alleged attack. He also said he would go to hospital for a check up before he could report. In the said YouTube clip that has gone viral, Kobia is captured issuing threats to Raila over his political stand as he and other celebrities including musician Jaguar and Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko enjoyed drinks. “If you want peace, put $50 million dollars on the table for us to forgive you,” Kobia is caught saying partly in the clip. He said the clip was captured before the Saba Saba rally in which the Cord leadership addressed in Nairobi. Kilimani OCPD Peter Katam said he was yet to receive a report regarding the incident. “We are yet to get the complaint of the said assault,” said Katam. the aforesaid video: