Kenya’s President William Ruto has chided Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga for his overindulgence in the street protests.
This was after former Prime Minister Raila Odinga recently threatened that if bipartisan talks between Azimio and Kenya Kwanza fail to bear fruits, then they will go back to the streets.
But during a speech in Kabartonjo, Baringo County, while distributing title deeds on Thursday, August 24, the head of state urged the opposition to abandon protests and instead join the government’s efforts in nation-building.
The president said demonstrations have nothing positive but instead, it ruins everything.
Ruto further added that if Azimio fails to rectify itself, the probability of them lacking election agents in the year 2027 will be high because nobody will want to associate with them at all costs
“Sisi hatuna shida na watu wa upinzani, wanafanya kazi yao ya kikatiba. Na wakiendelea na maandamano, na kuweka sufuria kwa kichwa, si hata agents watakosa kwa uchaguzi ujao?” he said.
Ruto’s statement can be loosely translated as: “We have no problem with the opposition; they are carrying out their constitutional duties. And if they persist with protests, taking to the streets and even using pots as headgear, won’t they even lack enough agents for the upcoming 2027 elections?”
Raila, who unsuccessfully vied for the presidency in the 2022 elections has been holding demonstrations as part of the opposition’s move to put the government in check and push for reforms in various sectors of the country.
For instance, the opposition leader has been holding demonstrations in the recent past pushing the government to effect reforms in the IEBC as well as review the new law on tax.
The demonstrations have had negative effects among them claiming the lives of innocent Kenyans as well as leaving others with serious injuries.
