Raila Cancels Azimio Parallel Jamhuri Day Celebrations

Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga has called off the planned parallel Jamhuri Day celebrations at Jacaranda grounds in Nairobi on Monday.

National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi said on Tuesday that the cancellation is due to prior commitments that were not confirmed at the time of the initial announcement.

"The cancellation has been occasioned by the upcoming engagements that will keep the party's top leaders away in the run-up to Jamhuri Days and a few days after," Wandayi told reporters.

Wandayi further reiterated the opposition's commitment to keeping President Ruto's administration in check to ensure it delivers on its promises to Kenyans, adding that their planned public engagements will continue countrywide.

"As Azimio, we promise that we shall continue to stand together and fight together until the Ruto regime returns to what really matters to the people," he added.

Odinga had earlier this week announced that the coalition would hold parallel Jamhuri Day celebrations as part of the anti-government push over the high cost of living, removal bid of four IEBC commissioners, alleged capture of the Judiciary by the Executive, and the unmet campaign promises, among other grievances.

“We will be celebrating Jamhuri Day with Kenyan patriots and it is also going to be a very peaceful congregation. No protests, no picketing, although that is also guaranteed by the constitution of Kenya,” said Odinga.

Odinga has demanded that the government reinstates subsidies for unga, fuel, school fees, and electricity in order to lower the price of basic commodities, failure to which Kenyans will be free to take whatever actions they see fit to lessen the burden on their shoulders.

He also wants Ruto’s administration to reinstate and improve social safety subsidies such as cash transfers to the elderly and Linda Mama, which provided coverage for maternal issues for mothers who were economically underprivileged.