How Ruto Disregarded Raila Midnight Ultimatum - Malala

UDA secretary general Cleophas Malala on Tuesday, May 30 disclosed how President William Ruto responded to Azimio's midnight ultimatum. 

Azimio had put forth three conditions for Kenya Kwanza to observe before they could resume the bipartisan talks. In an interview later that day, Malala revealed that the President had decided to disregard the demands made by Azimio and focus on his mandate. He reiterated that government should not be giving in to opposition demands or bowing to their orders. 

“Kenya Kwanza is the government, and Azimio should give us space to work on our promises to the people for the next five years. If we do not perform, they have a democratic right to try to unseat us in the next election. But we cannot have the government run by the opposition. You cannot be giving the government midnight ultimatums. Tomorrow you will wake up and find the government working. We have no interest in protests, our President has stated it is time to work for the people,” he said. 

The former Kakamega senator was outraged by Azimio's ultimatums to the head of state, implying that threats from the opposition had become routine. The demands that caused this ultimatum were; the cancellation of the Finance Bill, Kenya Kwanza meddling with Azimio sister parties, and tackling the rising cost of living.

On Tuesday, May 30th, Azimio insisted that the Finance Bill be revoked and replaced with an offer which takes into account people's complaints. The Raila-led team is likely to resume their countrywide protests in an attempt to have the Head of State listen to their demands.