KISUMU, Kenya, Mar 14 – Azimio La Umoja Coalition party leader Raila Odinga has announced an unofficial ‘public holiday’ on Monday next week during which his supporters plan do stage a major demonstration in the capital city of Nairobi.
Raila who spoke in Siaya town on Tuesday during his barazas says the demonstration will go on as planned.
He declined a request by NCCK that pleaded with him to postpone the demonstration and give dialogue a chance.
“A group of clergy through NCCK want me to postpone the Monday protest march,” he told his supporters who disapprove the request.
Raila said he gave the government a 14 days ultimatum to address some of the issues he had raised but failed to do so.
He said his march alongside his supporters is in response to the government unwillingness to address the challenges that include bringing down the high cost of living.
“Our protest will be very peaceful, we don’t want any violence to be associated with it,” he said.
He says the country will not witness any bloodshed during the protest aimed at pressing the government to act on a number of issues he had fronted.
“Sone people say that am doing this to force a handshake with Ruto (president). That’s a lie, am determined to free the country from this illegitimate government,” he said.
He announced that Monday, the 20th of March 2023 is a national holiday to give Kenyans the only alternative to get their right back through a peaceful protest.
“In the name of Azimio La One Kenya Alliance Coalition, we declare that the 20th of March will be a public holiday,” he said.
