Raila Odinga addressing the press on September 15, 2023/Courtesy
Raila Odinga, the leader of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party, has issued a stern warning to President William Ruto’s administration due to their failure to respond to public demands for a reduction in the cost of living.
During a press conference held at the Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka Command Centre last Friday, Odinga cautioned the current government that if they continue to ignore the hardships faced by Kenyan citizens, they may experience consequences similar to those witnessed by oppressive regimes elsewhere on the continent.
In his address, Odinga made reference to recent coups in countries such as Libya, Gabon, and Botswana, emphasizing that Kenyan citizens have endured rising food and fuel prices without relief for far too long.
“There are strong indications that things will get worse or remain the same. We, however, refuse to ask you to tighten your belts, you have done enough. The ball is squarely in the court of the regime. They either act or await the fate that has befallen other insensitive and incompetent regimes across the continent,” he said.
Odinga attributed the current high cost of living to the Kenya Kwanza government, blaming their series of ill-advised policies for the escalating prices of essential goods. He specifically pointed to the recent decision by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) to increase fuel prices, linking it to the government’s choice to enter into Government-To-Government (G2G) oil supply agreements with Middle Eastern nations.
According to Odinga, the president and his deputy, who are frequently attending international events, bear responsibility for the soaring oil prices as a result of these G2G contracts.
“That is the cause of the mess we are having; they say we are going to do a G2G and that they will pay with Kenyan shilling. Ask yourself, what are the Arabs in the Middle East going to do with Kenyan shillings?”
Odinga further criticized the government’s prioritization of projects, arguing that they should have focused on reducing the cost of food and fuel instead of subsidizing fertilizer. He contended that this approach has led to inflation, making it difficult for farmers to afford the fuel costs required for agricultural activities.
“Inflation is driven by the cost of food and fuel. As long as the government has not resolved the price of food and fuel, the cost of living will not come down.
“No amount of fertilizer will lower the cost of food as long as the cost of fuel is unchecked. Diesel is one of the highest costs in farming. Even if you give the citizen a bag of fertilizer but make it impossible for her to plow an acre of land, you have not solved the problem,” Raila insisted.
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