Raila asks Kenyans to walk to work in protest against fuel tax

Odinga wants Kenyans to take up measures such as carpooling, cutting down on non-essential travel, and walking instead of driving as part of ways to prevent the government from collecting more money from the increased VAT on fuel products which rose from 8 percent to 16 per cent following the signing into law of the controversial Finance Bill, 2023.

"Let us deny Ruto the fuel tax by limiting consumption of petrol and diesel. One way to do this is to carpool. Let us arrange to make regular journeys in a single vehicle whenever possible; give each other a ride, cut down on non-essential travel and walk instead of driving whenever possible," Odinga said on Tuesday at Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi.

The Opposition leader urged the police to permit Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) to transport passengers beyond their usual capacities while similarly advising matatu owners against raising fares as a means to compensate for the surge in fuel prices.

"I appeal to all employers to allow their workers time to walk to and from work. I appeal to matatu owners to support tax boycotts. While observing safety measures, maintain the current fare but double your carrying capacity as part of the civil disobedience," he said.

Odinga also advised business operators to devise ways of evading tax payments.

"I appeal to businesses to disable or avoid Electronic Tax Registers, make nil returns on VAT and instead give discounts to customers. This way, we shall recover the VAT Ruto is taking illegally through fuel," he said.

The former premier also urged employers to ignore the deductions of employees’ salaries while urging Kenyan motorists not to give way to any of the Executive's official motorcades.

"They may sound the sirens as they wish, but everyone must follow the traffic, except for ambulances," he said.

He consequently encouraged the Kenyan public, local content creators included, to be vocal and join Azimio in condemning the Ruto administration.

"Let us name, shame, follow and isolate the traitors at every turn.  Let us picket their public and private offices and their homes until they join the call to have the Finance Act repealed.

"The famous Kenyans on Twitter, the content creators, the Tiktokers, I have a request for you. Let us gather and share information about the traitors; their Twitter and other social media accounts, telephone numbers, and email addresses and use these to show the oppressors that power belongs to us, the people," said Odinga.

The opposition chief added that performing artists should also use their songs and music as a means of expressing dissatisfaction against President Ruto's government.

"I appeal to our performing artists. Let our songs and music be a source of pain to the traitors. Let our music carry our disappointments and support the fight against Ruto and his contempt for us, until Ruto learns to respect the people," he said.