'No turning back!' Raila remains firm on protests despite criticism from President Ruto

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leader Raila Odinga says he will not back down on his quest to ensure the high cost of living is contained by President William Ruto’s administration.

Mr. Odinga, who spoke in Kisii County on Friday while attending a funeral service at Nyaturubo Village, said that the mass action call to his supporters is still on twice a week; Monday and Thursday, despite criticism from President Ruto.

“Server lazima ifunguliwe...gharama ya maisha bado iko juu, lazima ishuke...ukabila lazima iishe...haki itendeke,” he said.

Mr. Odinga called on his supporters to turn out in large numbers next Monday and Thursday for the planned demonstration saying, the protests will go on until their grievances are addressed.

The former Prime Minister insisted that the planned hiring of IEBC Commissioners must be halted to allow for a transparent process that will include all players, adding that as it is now, it is skewed to favour President Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

“Pia anataka kuuza mashirika na makampuni ya serikali bila ya kupitia kwa bunge...hapo tumesema la,” Mr. Odinga noted.

Former Kakamega Governor and Azimio Chairman Wycliffe Oparanya stated: “Amechagua tume yake ya kibinafsi ya uchaguzi, Bunge iliingia na mara moja wakabadilisha sheria ya kuchagua makamishna wa IEBC."

The opposition leader spoke when he attended the burial of Truphena Moraa Ontegi, the mother of Nyaribari Masaba ODM Chairman Jackson Ontegi.

Mr. Odinga also lashed out at President Ruto accusing him of making empty promises to the larger Nyanza region.

“Wametaua CAS 50...hakuna hata mmoja kutoka hapa Kisii, halafu anakuja kusema ooh...” he stated.

The leaders present added that no amount of threats, intimidation or pressure from the government will deter them from engaging in mass action next week, saying the only thing that will see the Monday and Thursday demonstrations halted is the lowering of the cost of living and opening of the IEBC servers.

“Tutaendelea kuandamana hata tukikufa watoto wetu wataandamana mpaka server ifunguliwe,” Oparanya said.