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Mudavadi hits out at Azimio over rallies plan

Vihiga county interdenominational clergy prays for Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi during thanks giving prayer service held at Kidundu Stadium in Vihiga county on December 10, 2022. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has hit out at Azimio la Umoja leadership over it planned series of rallies as it seeks to keep the government in check.

Speaking in Vihiga on Saturday, Mudavadi faulted Wednesday's rally at Kamukunji grounds and the planned parallel Jamhuri Day celebrations, which have since been cancelled, saying such engagements were "irrelevant and catastrophic to development."

"If you start doing demonstrations, it shows that you don't care about the well-being of Kenyans," said the former partner of Azimio leader Raila Odinga.

Azimio has announced plans to hold series of "consultative" meetings over the high cost of living, removal of the four IEBC commissioners and alleged State capture of the Judiciary.

They also want to use the rallies to push for accountability from the Kenya Kwanza government blaming it for unfulfilled campaign promises.

According to Mudavadi, the rallies pose a threat to peace and could disrupt the national government agenda.

"It's time to start thinking on how the youth can get jobs, how to improve agriculture and grow our economy and how to pay our debts and improve health care and not how to run in the streets," said Mudavadi.

He said it was unfair for the opposition to take Kenyans to the trenches when the country was moving from the electioneering period that hugely affected the economy.

He asked Azimio to accept the August 9 presidential results and allow the President William Ruto-led administration deliver on its agenda.

"Kenyans decided that Ruto should lead us and the Supreme Court endorsed it. The other threats are theatrics that are going nowhere," said Mudavadi.

"You want subsidies of maize and fuel but do not remember how expensive the process was to taxpayers who used to shoulder over Sh16 billion per month on the same. Give us an ample environment to turn around the economy."

Mudavadi, who was attending an inter-denominational thanksgiving service at Kidundu Stadium, asked elected leaders to forget party lines and work for the good of the people.

For the last three days, the former ANC boss has camped in Western Kenya, the longest he has been in the region since he was appointed to the Cabinet, championing for unity and development.

Present were Vihiga governor Wilber Ottichilo and a host of MPs both from the opposition and the ruling coalition.

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