Raila Odinga faults William Ruto's policies, calls for protests

Azimio leader Raila Odinga at the official opening of Homabay Stadium. [Emmanuel Wanson, Standard] Azimio leader Raila Odinga has said the opposition is prepared to find a solution to the woes bedeviling the country through street protests. Raila claimed that the Kenya Kwanza regime is riddled with corruption and wastage of public funds and Azimio will not relent in their push to find justice for Kenyans. Addressing a public baraza in Ugunja, yesterday, where he continued building momentum for the planned protests scheduled to start on July 7, he said President William Ruto's regime has failed Kenyans. Raila is keen to rally his support base to engage in civil disobedience to push Kenya Kwanza government to reverse punitive taxes. The ODM leader criticised President Ruto's leadership style saying he will not allow the country to slide back to the era of dictatorship. He faulted the Kenya Kwanza government over taxation, struggling economy and corruption. Raila warned that the planned mass protests will go on until the concerns of Kenyans are addressed. "I want all of you to come out in huge numbers for demonstrations. We are not doing this because we don't want development. We are saying Kenyans are tired," he said. He said the opposition will not be bullied into silence and accused the Kenya Kwanza government of implementing policies aimed at benefiting the leaders at the expense of citizens. "Kenyans have spoken in the polls that they are not ready for taxes increment. They have said they have the power according to the Constitution through demonstrations," he said. Raila's call for mass protests comes even as other stakeholders opts for the judicial route to challenge some of the controversial policies Kenya Kwanza is pursuing. Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has challenged implementation of the controversial Finance Act, 2023. The High Court has temporarily suspended implementation of the Act. Raila said they will not accept taxation without representation since Kenyans are already overburdened. "We have told Ruto that his government officers are dirty and he should act. If you look at the things and places where they increasing taxes, it is in places that will burden Kenyans," he said. National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi urged Azimio supporters to turn up in their numbers for the street protests. "We will go out to prove to this government that Kenyans are tired. These demonstrations will begin on Friday and will not have a stop," said Wandayi. He criticized the government for increasing the salaries of senior leaders as other Kenyans continue to suffer. Wandayi said teachers and police are suffering but they have not been awarded salary increment. Siaya Governor James Orengo rallied Azimio supporters to stay firmly behind Raila and turn up in their numbers for the protests. Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga accused Kenya Kwanza of attempting to fix the economy through propaganda.

Raila Odinga faults William Ruto's policies, calls for protests

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Raila Odinga faults William Ruto's policies, calls for protests

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