Azimio set to hold public baraza at Kamukunji grounds next week

The opposition Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party has invited Kenyans to a consultation meeting in Nairobi next week to chart a way forward following the Wednesday passing of the controversial Finance Bill, 2023 by Parliament.

Azimio, in a joint public statement released on Thursday, said its leaders and supporters will convene at the Kamukunji Grounds on Tuesday, June 27, from 10am, to deliberate on their next course of action.

"Whenever we have come together as a people, we have always found a solution to our worst problems. This time will not be different," the Raila Odinga-led faction said in the statement.

"Let us meet in Kamukunji next Tuesday and decide the kind of life we want to live."

Azimio added that the Kenya Kwanza administration overlooked the opinions of Kenyans who openly objected the contentious Bill during the public participation stage, instead bulldozing its way and “forcing” it on citizens.

"We learnt the hard way that this illegitimate regime can ignore the people, their feelings, their fears, their circumstances, their hopes and aspirations and force its agenda on the people," said the political outfit.

"That is what (President William) Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza followers did with the passage of the Finance Bill, 2023."

The opposition party likewise stated that Kenya Kwanza's decision to ignore the wishes of Kenyans signals the era of dictatorship.

"This kind of dictatorship is new! This budget is selfishly tailored to ensure Ruto’s people live large and eat well. They are getting subsidies to import cooking oil, maize, sugar, rice, among other at the expense of vulnerable Kenyans," the statement added.

Azimio consequently lauded lawmakers who voted to dismiss the Bill and pushed for its amendment, while at the same time criticizing those who allegedly folded under the pressure of the government.

"We celebrate the fact that whereas the regime had said not even a coma would be removed from the Bill, our MPs, with the push from millions of Kenyans were able to force the regime to accept not one, not two, but several amendments. But those amendments were not enough to guarantee the kind of life we desire for Kenyans,” Azimio stated.

"To all those MPs who knowingly supported a Bill was overwhelmingly rejected by Kenyans, we say to you that the jury is out. The writing is on the wall for this regime as the Bible Tells us; mene mene tekel."