The Man Who Leaked Classified Information To Raila

 Reflecting on the 2017 election campaigns, a persistent question many Kenyans have asked is: how did Raila Odinga, James Orengo, and NASA obtain the highly sensitive information they revealed to the public? This includes details about military involvement in the elections and what appeared to be a description of covert operations—clearly classified government documents. How did they access such information?

Let’s take this one step at a time. Some may argue about the credibility of the information. However, credible sources, including members of the military, confirmed its authenticity. For now, let’s set aside debates about credibility and focus on the core issue: the source of these classified documents.

The release of such information implies a significant leak. Sharing classified government documents is a serious criminal offense, yet no arrests have been made. So, where did NASA acquire this information? Adding to the mystery is the alleged raid on NASA's tallying center in Westlands. While some dismissed the raid as fabricated—citing the absence of CCTV footage or smartphone recordings—it’s worth considering the circumstances. If 15 armed men stormed an office, would anyone realistically risk filming the incident or would they prioritize their safety? Moreover, disabling or tampering with CCTV footage is a straightforward task for trained security personnel.

After the raid, Orengo provided names of five officers allegedly involved, raising further questions. Such information is highly sensitive and internal to police operations. Similarly, the leaked military documents included details of National Security Council meetings, some held in State House. This is alarming for anyone familiar with national security operations.

Beyond the leaks, the content of the documents revealed other serious concerns, including the alleged misuse of the military. Deploying the military domestically requires parliamentary approval. Using it for a covert operation to influence an election is unprecedented and illegal. Typically, covert operations target external threats like Al-Shabaab, not political opponents.

This raises a critical question: why has no one been prosecuted for these leaks? One possibility is that the source of NASA’s information was someone highly placed within the Jubilee administration, someone so senior they are untouchable.

The leaks also suggest deeper issues. For example, framing a Raila Odinga presidency as a national security threat is concerning. This narrative isn’t new—security agencies have reportedly viewed Raila this way for years. Such framing seems less about national security and more about political control.

The broader implication of these revelations is troubling. The election highlighted a polarized environment where critical questions about governance and national security are overshadowed by partisan loyalties. Regardless of which party is in power, the leakage of classified information and misuse of state resources should alarm all Kenyans.