The opposition leader and Azimio-One Kenya party leader, Raila Odinga, has declared mass protests across the country within the next two weeks in response to the high cost of living and President William Ruto’s administration.
Odinga made the announcement during a rally in Nairobi’s Jevanjee Gardens on February 22, saying that Kenyans are tired of the government’s “hide-and-seek games” on the issue of the cost of living.
“We have been talking about the rising cost of basic commodities like unga, electricity, diesel, petrol, paraffin, sugar, milk, among others for far too long. We have complained about rising taxes, and we have lately talked about children dropping out of school for lack of fees,” Odinga said during the event, which was dubbed Azimio prayer rally.
He continued: “Withdrawal of subsidies to food and education in the middle of drought and famine was reckless and heartless. Consequently, the subsidies must be restored, and the cost of basic commodities and taxes must come down in the next 14 days.”
Odinga demanded that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) grant independent auditors access to the electoral servers, saying, “Electoral deceit must end. Servers must be opened and audited under auspices of a reputable firm or organization, failure to which, we shall lead people to restore their authority and voice.”
The opposition leader also demanded inclusivity in the selection of six new IEBC commissioners after the resignations of three and the contract expiry of three others. “The ongoing process of reconstituting IEBC must stop immediately. A bipartisan task force must be put in place to restructure IEBC in a manner that ends its monolithic operations. If these demands are not heeded within 14 days, we shall lead Kenyans to massive mass action across the country to take their power back and restore sanity,” he said.
If President Ruto’s administration fails to heed their warning, then Azimio will ask its supporters countrywide to take part in mass action, Odinga warned.
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