NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 9 – Azimio la Umoja one Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga has announced the beginning of countrywide mass protests and civil disobedience against the Kenya Kwanza government, after failing to address their concerns during the 14 days ultimatum.
Odinga flanked by other leaders in the coalition on Thursday insisted that the Kenya Kwanza government is illegitimate, and called upon supporters to come out and take part in the protests.
He urged all workers, doctors, teachers, nurses, lecturers, students and the business community to join in the mass action, so as to push the Ruto-led government out.
“Starting today and now I officially declare the start of mass action ,” Odinga stated.
He said the mass protests will include defiance, boycotts, peaceful demonstrations and strikes.
The mass action according to Odinga will culminate to a final meeting in Nairobi on March 20, 2023, where all the supporters will converge in the city for joint protests.
“On 20th March we a date with destiny in Nairobi, on that day our supporters from across the country will stage peaceful protests in Nairobi against this illegitimate regime,” he said.
“Save the date and let the action begin now,” he added.
Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka said it’s time to unleash people’s power for action, by launching a massive peaceful movement of defiance against the Kenya kwanza government.
Kalonzo said picketing is protected in the constitution, and call their supporters to action.
“We want to make good our promise to Ruto and his illegitimate regime through a massive peaceful movement of defiance against a heartless, dangerous and incompetent illegitimate Kenya kwanza government,” Kalonzo stated.
Some of the reasons listed by Azimio for their mass action include high cost of living, overtaxation, failure to open IEBC servers, attempt by President William Ruto to single-handedly appoint the IEBC selection panel and victimization of the four IEBC Commissioners.
Others are tribalism in state appointments, dividing the country along religious lines and creation of unconstitutional and unnecessary offices overburdening the taxpayers.
“We are telling Ruto and Gachagua that we are indeed the true shareholders of this country and we have no more patience for an illegitimate regime,” the Azimio leader stated.
