The finer details of the identities and mission of the so-called Movement for Defence of Democracy unveiled by Raila Odinga in Kibera can finally be revealed.
Kenyans were left bemused and others guessing when the ODM
leader paraded the youth wing members all donned in paramilitary uniform and berets.
Uhuru and Raila
They also wore combat boots similar to those worn by military.
The youth-wingers also had the courage to expose themselves on
national television where they defiantly stated they are ready to
sacrifice their lives to supposedly save the country from the regime
of president William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua. The launch of MDD bemused Kenya Kwanza leaders and supporters
who wondered what Raila’s endgame is, with speculation rife that the 79-year-old politician has reached the pinnacle of frustration in his political career and can do anything, including destabilising the country. First to question Raila’s motive was Kericho senator Aaron
Cheruiyot who led Kenya Kwanza troops in condemning ragtag MDD goons, warning the young and not so young men to be careful as “we had a similar ODM youth wingers in 2007 who participated in the postelection violence”.
The senator cautioned the MDD that when the grand coalition government of Mwai Kibaki and Raila was formed, many of the killers who participated in the post-poll violence were left rotting in jail. Weekly Citizen has established that the MDD members comprise unemployed former university student leaders, Bunge la Mwananchi members and thugs from slums such as Kibera, Korogocho, Mathare in Nairobi and Kondele in Kisumu who
operate in cells. Insiders revealed that the MDD members together with the other pressure groups likely to join Raila will be tasked with political mobilisation to ensure his rallies
across the country are well attended.
They will also champion tax boycott and also lead demonstrations across counties at a later.
In case Raila decides to lead disgruntled Kenyans in storming State House to eject Ruto, the MDD and other pressure groups will form
a human ring to shield him and other Azimio leaders accompanying
him.
The MDD are now being trained to be fearless and take the establishment headon thus play a key role in energising and bringing the youth, hustlers back to Raila side.
The lid on the MDD membership was lifted by former Pwani University students leader Firirini Jacobs who told the Kibera rally that he is in charge of Coast region and would lead the troops in doing Raila’s bidding. Speaking during the Kibera rally, Fikirini said that most Kenyans, including university students had lost hope in the electoral system because there is no democracy in Kenya and it is time the country explored another solution. Fikirini was expelled from two public universities. Fikirini was first sent home from Maasai Mara
University in 2017 before being expelled from Pwani University in
December 2019. Fikirini, 26, was expelled from Pwani University after the administration found him guilty of leading a studentprotest which they termed as illegal. In October 2019, Fikirini wrote in social media calling for the ouster of the vice chancellor Mohamed Rajab.
The former student leader wrote that the institution’s bank accounts were frozen due to unpaid taxes owed to the Kenya Revenue Authority. He also accused the vice chancellor of late issuance of
bursaries and having an unclear policy on retaking of examinations.
“I am aware (sic) of all plans that the administration has to pay the KRA debt through over fining students. I know of the conspiracy
to torture students or me,” Fikirini
published. In April 2017, Fikirini was expelled from Maasai Mara University in unclear circumstances after winning student elections with a landslide.
“I was the only elected student leader to oppose the Aden Duale
amendments, which sought to reform how student elections are held. I managed to mobilise 749 votes from students while the opposing team only received 43 votes,” Fikirini told a local daily regarding his expulsion from Maasai Mara University. Fikirini, who was born and brought up in Bamba in Kilifi county is suspected to be a member of the outlawed Mombasa Republican Council which Raila is keen to rope into MDD. Now a university dropout, he was among the former university student leaders Raila paraded,
donning paramilitary attire. Weekly Citizen has established that the MDD and other groups Raila is roping in to lead the revolt, will use the Bunge la Wananchi network to reach out to Kenyans in the 47 counties.
