President William Ruto has criticised the Raila Odinga-led Azimio coalition, for planning a public rally at the Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi.
Raila is expected to jet into the country on Monday morning before he heads for the rally in Nairobi’s Kamukunji.
Odinga has been in South Africa, for the past week, attending meetings in his capacity as the AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa.
Speaking during a church service at Kerugoya, Kirinyaga County, President Ruto said the Azimio leaders had planned to use what he termed as ‘blackmails and threats’ to secure their personal and selfish interests.
“Go ahead and plan the demonstrations as much as you want but Kenya will move forward. We will put to shame those who are used to using threats for personal and selfish family interests at the expense of millions of Kenyans. That is why we [Kenya Kwanza] will unite all the citizens irrespective of the voting pattern,” Ruto said.
According to the president, the Azimio leaders (without mentioning names) had used the same methods for years. He explains that the threats issued have made some parts of the country remain underdeveloped.
In December last year, Raila had asked his supporters to convene at the same on December 7 and December 12.
He had planned a parallel gathering from the state celebrations of Jamhuri Day at Nyayo Stadium.
While making the announcements, Odinga said the gatherings were to enable him to chart a way forward on how to keep President William Ruto’s government in check.
The opposition chief and his team held a public gathering on December 7 but postponed the second meeting to give room for candidates sitting national examinations.
