Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga says the world should not sleep when Kenya is fast edging towards its downfall.
He says, since last year’s general election, execution of what he termed as bad policies that have contributed to the suffering of Kenyans, the country has not been on the right path hence the decision to hold countrywide demonstrations.
“Although the Tax Protest had been initiated by Azimio, it has since gone beyond the party. After the passage of the Finance Act, Kenyans have defied party, political and regional divides and united to resist punitive taxation and demand the lowering of the cost of basic commodities. That the tax burden is unbearable is no longer a party issue; it is a Kenyan issue,” the opposition chief said.
Speaking during a one on one session with foreign media correspondents at a Nairobi hotel, Raila claimedPresident Ruto and his administration have given a deaf ear to Kenyans which does not auger well with a majority of Kenyans including those who voted for them.
“The most important discussion in our country today is the high taxes, rising cost of living and the ensuing protests,” the Azimio leader said.
He decried what he termed as ethnic profiling and targeting of members of a particular community. “We expect security forces to carry out their duties and responsibilities with complete impartiality and without regard to ethnicity, political persuasion, or other partisan consideration. We expect security forces to carry out their duties and responsibilities with complete impartiality and without regard to ethnicity, political persuasion, or other partisan consideration,” the Azimio leader said.
Raila claimed the police were using excessive force on unarmed demonstrators, killing and maiming some.
“We are witnessing unprecedented police brutality. We are also witnessing an unprecedented phenomenon of the State resorting to armed militia to quell protests. First, there is no legal backing for police breaking up protests. The protests are protected by Section 37 of the Constitution. We are left wondering whether the constitution has been suspended,” the opposition chief claimed.
He said Azimio la Umoja has always been ready for talks to find a solution to the issues the coalition has been raising which include the high cost of living that has become unbearable for Kenyans, the issue of reconstituting the IEBC which should be all inclusive, invasion of political parties which is against the basic tenets of democracy and strengthening of political parties as well as the audit of the 2022 general election, but the Kenya Kwanza side remains evasive when confronted with these issues.
He said his side has been committed to constructive talks but President Ruto’s side keeps frustrating any progressive talks.
He also disclosed that efforts by various groups including diplomats and leaders from various countries to help bring a truce between Azimio and Kenya Kwanza have been frustrated by President Ruto’s side.
Raila cited what he claimed as the recent humiliation of Tanzanian President Mama Samia Suluhu when she jetted into the country to try and mediate and was kept waiting for two days before returning home.
He called on President Ruto to listen to the cries of the people and address the issues Azimio is raising for the betterment of Kenya.