In Summary
- Coalition Criticizes government’s attempt to suppress dissenting voices
- Says Signature collection campaign to remove President Ruto from office still ongoing
Azimio la Umoja coalition has defiantly announced that the planned antigovernment protests set to take place from Wednesday to Friday this week will proceed as planned. This is despite stern warnings from the government.
Addressing Journalists today at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundatiom, National Assembly minority leader Opiyo Wandayi stated that they would not be intimidated from protesting as it was their constitutional right.
Wandayi firmly stated that the government, led by President William Ruto, was deluded to believe they could ban demonstrations.
“We are here, first and foremost, to confirm that the peaceful protests planned for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week are on as earlier declared by our leadership. These protests will go on in line with Article 37 of our Constitution,”he said.
The coalition further warned government operatives against attempting to harm opposition leader Raila Odinga during the protests.
Moreover, Wandayi highlighted that the signature collection campaign to remove President William Ruto from office was still ongoing.
Azimio refutes claims of paying Protesters
He further dismissed allegations that protesters were being paid to participate, emphasizing that their grievances were genuine and rooted in the high cost of living.
“The thousands of Kenyans turning up for protests are not just Azimio supporters. Those are Kenyans from across all political and non-political formations who have been brought together by suffering…… People realize they don’t eat the government. People eat food, and they want food. People realize that having voted for a party or a president does not put food on the table,”
The opposition has been castigating the government for its failure to address the escalating cost of living which has made life unbearable to the common Mwanananchi.
The government, on the other hand, has expressed concerns about potential disruptions and public safety during the planned protests.
President William Ruto last week warned against any form of violence or damage to property, reiterating that the rule of law must be respected.
“Walifanya maandamano ijumaa iliyopita watu saba wakakufa, wamefanya maandamano juzi watu nane wakakufa.mliona vile mali iliharibika Nairobi na vile vijana wamelipwa wafanye fujo, mnataka tuendelee nah ii maandamano?”He asked while touring Nakuru County.
