A matatu ride, breakfast with Nairobians at a coffee shop and a walk in the hustle-bustle of the Central Business District; opposition leader Raila Odinga’s Monday in the capital was quite unusual.
It began when the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition party leader took a matatu from Karen to the city, causing excitement among passengers.
In a video shared on his social media pages and circulated widely online, Odinga is seen discussing the high cost of living and the general direction the country is headed with fellow commuters.
“Embracing the convenience and camaraderie of public transport heading to work this morning,” he captioned the clip.
In a subsequent post, the opposition chief said the passengers opened up to him about the tough economic times, adding “It was painful to hear in detail about the hardship our people face daily due to the inept and illegitimate regime’s actions.”
It was painful to hear in detail about the hardship our people face daily due to the inept and illegitimate regime's actions.
I also took the opportunity to visit the statues of Tom Mboya and Dedan Kimathi. It was a pleasant morning. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/39vQRrTHNb
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) July 10, 2023
Odinga then alighted at the Ambassadeur Hotel matatu stage and made his way to a shoe shiner where a large crowd had already gathered. He then walked to Pronto a popular eatery adjacent to the County Assembly of Nairobi where he had breakfast with a section of Nairobi MCAs.
Thereafter, the opposition chief briefly addressed the crowd atop one of his waiting SUVs.
“I just arrived in the CBD in a matatu and I know what you people are going through. The high cost of fuel has led to matatu operators to increase fares and I blame it on this inept administration”, he told the crowd.
The former prime minister then visited the statues of independence activist Tom Mboya and freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi.
Monday’s events in the city were a stark contrast to Friday’s Saba Saba protests which the opposition leader called to picket against the high cost of living.
Odinga led a rally at Kamukunji Grounds, where police engaged in running battles with protesters and in the melee that ensued, dozens were arrested and one of his cars damaged.
Addressing journalists afterwards, he claimed his vehicle was hit by a live bullet fired by police whom he claimed were aiming for his life.
In the meantime, the Azimio leader has kickstarted a signature-collection initiative aimed at pushing President William Ruto and his government out of office.
He has also announced that he will lead Kenyans back to the streets on Wednesday to protest against Ruto’s administration.
“We are peaceful citizens and we respect the rule of law. We shall exercise our democratic right peacefully and in an organized manner on Wednesday”, he said on Monday, urging Kenyans to turn out in large numbers for the countrywide demonstrations.
