Opposition leader Raila Odinga on Thursday, March 9, announced the start of mass action to force President Wiliam Ruto to comply with his demands.
Raila issued the directive after the 14-day ultimatum Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader issued to the President lapsed.
Among Raila’s demands was Ruto to expedite the opening of the 2022 presidential election servers and address the high cost of living.
“We now declare the beginning of mass action, and announce that Ruto must go,” Raila Odinga.
While launching the Movement for Defence of Democracy (MDD), Raila claimed that President William Ruto failed to heed his call to lower the price of basic commodities, open the IEBC servers and include the Azimio La Umoja in the recruitment process of IEBC commissioners.
The Azimio La Umoja leader told those interested in the mass action to prepare and take action against the Kenya Kwanza government.
“On March 20, 2023, we have a date with destiny, and we call on you all to come to Nairobi where we will conduct a major procession,” Raila declared.
Raila outlined his reasons for calling for mass action against Ruto’s government:
1. The high cost of living in Kenya
He claimed that President Ruto’s government oversaw what he termed as blatant looting of public resources and wrong withdrawal of subsidies that cushion Kenyans from high prices.
2. Double Taxation
Raila noted that the Kenya Kwanza government was carrying out double taxation which was hurting many businesses including those that are owned by small-scale traders.
3. Importation of GMO
The Azimio La Umoja leader stated that President Ruto’s decision to import Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) foods such as maize was to the detriment of Kenyan farmers and businesses.
4. Recruitment of IEBC commissioners
“The IEBC Selection Panel is a puppet of Ruto, and we do not have any faith in whatever they are doing,” Raila claimed.
5. The victimization of Cherera Four Commissioners
The ODM Party leader came to the defence of four commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), who controversially left office after the August 2022 General Election.
Dubbed the Cherera Four, vice-chairperson Juliana Cherera, Francis Mathenge, Irene Masit and Justus Nyang’aya, were forced to leave IEBC after President Ruto initiated their removal.
6. Supreme Court Ruling
Raila claimed that Supreme Court Judges treated Azimio La Umoja with contempt during the Presidential Election petition against President William Ruto.
He noted that the language used by Supreme Court Judges was appalling even to National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
“The Supreme Court Judges confirmed Ruto’s complete judicial capture, and for this reason, Ruto must go,” Raila declared.
In a press briefing that was conducted at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation, the Azimio leaders claimed that the Kenya Kwanza government can no longer be tolerated.
“This illegitimate regime must go,” Azimio Deputy Presidential Candidate in the August 2022 General Election, Martha Karua declared.
Karua added that the prices for all basic commodities must be lowered as earlier demanded by the Azimio La Umoja Coalition.
