People's Assembly is Our Idea, Bunge La Mwananchi Warns Raila

Bunge La Mwananchi has told National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga that People's Assembly is their idea and that he should not use it to push for his political interests.

In a statement on Wednesday, Bunge La Mwananchi, which is well-known for its street-based debates on current affairs including politics, accused Raila Odinga of 'stealing' the idea from them.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Raila announced Nasa would form people’s assembly in all 47 counties comprising of political leaders, civil society, trade unions, the church and youths to push for a fresh election that will be credible and restore constitutionalism.

However, Bunge La Mwananchi chairman Henry Shitanda said they will resist attempts by Raila to overthrow them, while adding that Raila is welcome to be a member.

“Unfortunately, although Bunge La Wananchi is an open platform and for that we indeed invite him to join as a Kenyan, we find some of his agenda contrary to the core mission and tenets of our movement,” Shitanda said.

He welcomed the NASA leader and his brigade to their daily discussions at Jeevanjee Gardens in Nairobi and make their proposals for adoption or rejection.

“We shall require Mr Odinga and his co-principals to abide by our rules and democratic traditions. We are non-violent movement that seeks to unite all Kenyans and we require him to publicly reject violence and the secession agenda before joining the movement or we shall reject his agenda totally,” said Shitanda.