Raila Gives Ruto 14 Days to Lower Cost of Living, Threatens Mass Action

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga has issued a 14-day ultimatum to President Ruto’s administration to reduce the cost of living and lower taxes. 

Speaking during a prayer rally at Jeevanje Gardens in Nairobi on Wednesday, Odinga threatened to lead countrywide mass action if their demands are not met.

He particularly demanded the restoration of food and education subsidies, which were withdrawn by President Ruto.

“Withdrawal of subsidies to food and education in the middle of drought and famine was reckless and heartless. Consequently, the subsidies must be restored, and the cost of basic commodities and taxes must come down in the next 14 days,” he said.

Odinga termed mass action as part of the opposition coalition’s scheme to bring back power to the people as enshrined in the constitution.

He blasted President Ruto for organizing interdenominational prayers, terming the move hypocritical as Kenyans are struggling with the high cost of living.

“These are hypocrites who flock the church every Sunday but after that they are the biggest sinners,” Odinga added.

Odinga also demanded that President Ruto halts the process of reconstituting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and that the 2022 elections be audited.

“Servers must be opened and audited. under the auspices of a reputable firm or organization failure to which we shall lead people to restore their authority and voice,” he said.

“The ongoing process of reconstituting IEBC must stop immediately. A bipartisan task force must be put in place to restructure IEBC in a manner that ends its monolithic operations.”

He was accompanied by Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former CS Eugene Wamalwa, and Roots party leader George Wajackoya, among other leaders.

“If these demands are not heeded within fourteen days, we shall lead Kenyans to massive mass action across the country to take their power back and restore sanity,” said Raila.

He also accused the State for constant harassment on former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and his lawyer Danstan Omari, urging them to desist.

“They have summoned Omari to the DCI and say they want to investigate him. That is a lawyer, he should be left alone to do his job,” Odinga said.