Nairobi ODM leaders tell youth to call off planned Thursday protests

A section of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leaders in Nairobi are now appealing with the organisers and participants of Thursday’s planned mega-protest to call it off.

This comes as a section of protesters had vowed to take to the streets on August 8th – in what has been dubbed the ‘Nane Nane’ march - to push the Kenya Kwanza regime out of power.

The ODM leaders however, led by Makadara MP George Aladwa, who is also the party’s Nairobi Chairman, urged the proponents of the march to give President William Ruto ample time to serve the country.

They argued that the Head of State has demonstrated goodwill and that he is ready to change by forming an inclusive broad-based government after firing his Cabinet last month.

Aladwa and his team said the protests in the past have led to loss of lives and destruction of properties, hence noting that it is high time for Gen Zs to retreat from the exercise.

The leaders, who were speaking at a city hotel in Nairobi on Wednesday, expressed optimism that the newly formed Cabinet – that also includes four ODM members - will deliver.

“They (Gen Zs) expressed their displeasure in the Kenya Kwanza administration. This led to disbandment of the entire Cabinet by President William Ruto, which demonstrated goodwill. Additionally, the Head of State went ahead and nominated 20 Cabinet Secretaries cutting across all regions and professions,” they stated in a joint statement.

“Two days ago, the National Assembly Select Committee completed vetting the appointees who are going to assist President Ruto to implement the austerity measures the country wants. It is on that note that we as Nairobi County ODM leaders wish to appeal to those who have been planning for the Nane Nane demonstrations to call it off.”

They added: “We ask all Kenyans to allow the Cabinet to be sworn in and give the President time to implement the changes. We cannot solve the challenges facing the country when we take to the streets on a daily basis. Many people have lost their livelihoods and lives, which as a country should not be allowed to continue.”