Sharing a detailed historical perspective of Saba Saba, ODM party leader Raila Odinga has said Saba Saba is about the sacred sacrifices of Kamukunji Grounds, Nairobi, and not any other riots in town.
Addressing Press in Nairobi, the former Prime Minister said the Saba Saba spirit is all inclusive and cuts across generations and religious groupings among other set ups.
And as he was making the briefing, gunshots could be heard outside the Serana Hotel venue, not so far from State House, as confrontation ensued between protesters and the police.
“We are a better nation because Saba Saba happened. You have a duty and responsibility to honour the men and women who dared to dream and to turn out at a time of great peril to themselves and their families. Thirty-five years later, the country is grappling with a new wave of unrest and political activism. The question we have to ask is where do we go from here. Do we embrace chaos or the coming together of minds and country,” he posed.
“I propose an inclusive intergenerational national conclave to hear our people across all divide and come up with irreducible reforms and changes necessary to take the country forward. I propose the country urgently turns back to the agenda of comprehensive police reforms focusing on enhancing accountability, transparency and improving police to people relationship,” he said.
He termed the police as rogue, a force shooting the people from impunity, one that was inherited from colonial system of government.
The ODM boss who was expected to attend the Saba Saba demonstrations at Kamukunji earlier in the day said he was speaking on behalf of the ODM party and that his statement addressed all Kenyans “including the president”.
“As a living architect of the events leading to Saba Saba, I choose a coming together of minds and country in the interest of country I long fought for its stability and prosperity. The most important struggle taking place in our country today is the struggle for good governance, economic opportunity and equality. The biggest challenge facing Kenya today and the pursuit of future is how to expand economic opportunity and leave particularly young Kenyans out of poverty,” he said.
