Raila Odinga Faults President Ruto's Policies, Calls for Protests

Azimio's leader Raila Odinga has said the opposition is willing to take to the streets to address the woes bedevilling the country.  

He asserted that the Kenya Kwanza regime is plagued with corruption and misuse of public funds, but Azimio is determined to seek justice for Kenyans.

Speaking at a political rally at Asango in Sigomre, shortly after unveiling a new dining hall at Mama Ida Odinga Secondary School in Ugunja Constituency, the Azimio leader blasted Ruto's regime as flawed beyond redemption. Odinga is keen to rally his supporters to participate in civil disobedience to pressure the Kenya Kwanza government into rescinding their oppressive taxes. 

Mr Odinga further reproved Ruto's leadership style, affirming that the opposition will not let the country slip back into dictatorship. The ODM leader faulted the Kenya Kwanza government over their taxation policies, ailing economy, and corruption. He warned that the upcoming protests will continue until the concerns of Kenyans are addressed. He reiterated that the opposition will not be obliged into silence, further accusing the Kenya Kwanza government of executing policies aimed at benefitting Ruto troops at the expense of the citizens.

“I want all of you to come out in huge numbers for demonstrations. We are not doing this because we don’t want development. We are saying Kenyans are tired. Kenyans have spoken in the polls that they are not ready for taxes increment. They have said they have the power according to the Constitution through demonstrations,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has challenged the administrative execution of the contested Finance Act 2023. The High Court has consequently given a provisional suspension of the Act. According to Raila, Kenyans are already pressured by taxes and therefore should not be subjected to taxation without representation.

National Assembly leader Opiyo Wandayi urged Azimio supporters to show up in large numbers for the street protests. He also censured the government for raising the wages of higher-ups while other Kenyans are still in distress. Wandayi lamented that teachers and police have not been awarded salary increments despite their suffering.

Siaya Governor James Orengo encouraged Azimio's followers to rally behind Raila and join the demonstrations. Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga blamed Kenya Kwanza for attempting to manipulate the economy through propaganda.