Azimio leader Raila Odinga has asked his supporters to boycott payment of taxes introduced under the Finance Bill 2023.
Speaking on Tuesday during a rally at Kamukunji grounds, Raila urged Kenyans to walk to work in order to deny President William Ruto fuel tax.
He said the sum effect of this move is to limit consumption of petrol and diesel by public service vehicles.
“One way, to do this is to car pool. Let us arrange to make regular journeys in single vehicle whenever possible. Give each other a ride. Cut down on non-essential travel. Walk instead of driving whenever possible,” Raila said.
“I appeal to all the employers to allow their workers time to walk to and from work,” he added.
The opposition leader also appealed to Matatu operators to carry excess passengers to limit the number of vehicles used thereby limiting fuel consumption.
This is despite it being against traffic rules for public service vehicles to carry excess passengers.
“I appeal to the Matatu owners to support tax boycotts. While observing safety measures, they attend the current fares by doubling the carrying capacity as part of the civil disobedience,” Raila said.
He said traffic police officers should support the tax boycott venture by allowing matatus to carry above capacity.
The Azimio leader said they are going to teach Ruto a lesson never to mess with food and fuel.
He said that Ruto will know that Kenyans are fed up but not helpless.
“Ruto and all those who think like him are going to learn the painful way, never to mess with the people’s food, fuel and freedom,” Raila said.
“Kenyans must not trust the insidious smile that Ruto wears, it is betrayer’s kiss. If Ruto meant well, he would have listened to the people. He did not and now we must fight.”
Raila said a regime that has blatantly ignored and betrayed Kenyans does not deserve their delegated power.
Through civil disobedience, Raila announced, they will deny Ruto the taxes he thinks he can extort from Kenyans by force.
