Raila Odinga declares protests every Monday
Azimio La
Umoja One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga has declared that there will be protests
similar to what the opposition staged in Nairobi and many parts of the country on Monday every Monday.
Addressing protesters atop his motorcade when
he joined them in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area, Odinga said Monday’s mass action
was just the beginning of what he called a fight for justice.
“Kila jumatatau kutakuwa na mgomo. Kutakuwa na maandamano. Vita imeanza na haitaisha mpaka wakenya wapate haki yao,” he said. (Every Monday there will be protests, the fight has started and won't end until Kenyans get their their right.)
"Hii ni kionjo, tutaendelea mpaka bei ya unga ishuke chini," he added. (This is just the beginning, we will continue until the price of flour comes down.)
He was
flanked by his co-principal Martha Karua and other opposition politicians
among them Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka,
Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah and Eugene Wamalwa, among others.
At another
stop in Kamukunji, Odinga said the turnout at Monday’s protests is a sign Kenyans
are tired of President William Ruto’s leadership.
The former
prime minister thanked Kenyans for turning out in large numbers despite what he
described as the government’s efforts to suppress the mass action, and assured
that they will not relent until the government listens to their demands.
“Wakenya wameonyesha punda amechoka. Hata kama
wameleta askari,” he said.
Odinga had
for the better part of the day lay low as his supporters engaged with police in
the streets in parts of Nairobi and Kisumu, only voicing his support on social
media.
Some minutes past 10 a.m., he announced in a tweet that they were on their way to join Kenyans in rejecting Ruto’s administration.
The opposition leaders later emerged at Serena Hotel near the city centre at around 2:40 p.m. but were tear-gassed out of the area by a squad of police officers.
Odinga’s protests are meant to compel President Ruto’s
administration to honour various issues it has, among them the high cost of
living, alleged discrimination in State appointments, as well as purported lack
of transparency in the country’s electoral body, IEBC.
Want to send us a story? SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp 0743570000 or Submit on Citizen Digital or email wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a Comment