Broad-based Gov't leaders fault opposition for 'inciting' Gen Z protests

Leaders under the broad-based government have accused their counterparts in the opposition of inciting youth into protests saying they lack a record to show and are resorting to street protests for their own selfish gains.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, who led a team in Vihiga County, called on Kenyans to shun divisive politics and embrace peace and development.

Speaker Wetangula led a rally in Emuhaya Constituency while the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) team held their grassroots mobilization in Rodi, Homa Bay County.

In Vihiga, Kenya Kwanza leaders pointed their fingers at the opposition for what they claimed was inciting youth to street protests and propagating politics of hate.

“Hapa magharibi hatutaki chuki...tumesema ikifika mwaka ujao tutapiga kura kwa rais Ruto kama watu wa ingo hata kushinda watu wa bonde la ufa na Nyanza,” said Wetangula.

The leaders accused the opposition of misleading Kenyans over the government's development record.

Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe said: “Hata jana walijaribu kuandamana...wananchi sasa wameona ukora ya hao opposition...mbona wakiona teargas wanaingia kwa gari?”

Kitutu Chache North MP Japheth Nyakundi added: “Sisi tumesema hatuwezi kula maandamano...Wakenya wanataka maendeleo…”

Farouk Kibet, President Ruto’s aide, on his part stated: “Wale wakabila sasa wamerudi kuwapotosha vijana wetu eti waende maandamano...mnataka maandamano ama maendeleo?”

In Homa Bay County, ODM leaders led by Chairperson Gladys Wanga, during a women empowerment drive in Rodi, lauded their supporters for not showing up on the streets saying the region now needs development over street lamentation.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said: “Tumeona jana kule Kisumu vijana wetu wanachukua kura, sisi tumekataa maandamano...tunataka maendeleo....”

“We have our people now being compensated for police brutality...pia sisi tulikuwa na Baby Pendo na sasa wamecompensatiwa,” Wanga noted.

The ODM leaders told their supporters to embrace dialogue over street action.

Nyando MP Jared Okello said: “Baba taught us to always seek dialogue kama iko shida...our people have abandoned the combative approach.”

Suna East lawmaker Junet Mohamed added: “Wakati sisi tulikuwa tunafanya maandamano..alikuwa anaenda kwa ofisi yake asubui saa kumi na moja…”