Azimio Coalition leader Raila Odinga has promised the biggest anti-government protests yet, appealing to his supporters to turn up in large numbers on Monday- albeit peacefully.
Raila, who addressed the media on Thursday, shot down suggestions of a truce between him and President Ruto and asserted that the Azimio coalition would not reach an agreement with an ‘illegitimate government
“We call upon all patriotic Kenyans to come out in large numbers for the mother of all demonstrations in Nairobi on Monday (March 27), and to do so peacefully,” Raila said.
“Kenya Kwanza has continued to claim that all we are looking for is a handshake. We emphatically refute this unfounded rumour. This is an insult to the intelligence of Kenyans. We will not participate in a handshake with an illegitimate regime,” he added.
Mr Odinga’s rebuttal comes in the wake of Catholic Bishops advising him to seek alternative avenues for voicing his grievances.
The bishops, in a press briefing on Wednesday, appealed to President Ruto and Raila to consider dialogue as a means to end the current stalemate.
” Our answer to the clergy on our protests is found in the bible and we are looking for the truth on the election server, lowering the cost of living, cancelling the appointment of 50 CAS and reinstating ‘Cherera Four’,” Raila said.
At the same time, the opposition chief condemned the Communication Authority boss Ezra Chiloba’s directive on media covering anti-government protests, saying it is a ploy to interfere with press freedom.
He demanded that the Authority review the ‘outdated directive’
Odinga was flanked by several Azimio luminaries including Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugine Wamalwa and Junnet Mohamed.
He insisted that the bi-weekly protests will continue until the government heeds their demands.
