Azimio, Kenya Kwanza MPs clash as tension builds over Monday protest

The war of words between President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza Alliance and Raila Odinga's Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition has rise to deafening levels in the build-up to the anticipated anti-government mass protests in the capital on Monday.

Yesterday, both camps ignored calls for dialogue from professionals and the religious community and instead intensified their verbal attacks against each other.

While Azimio called for the arrest of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over his controversial remarks against Raila, Kenya Kwanza insisted that Raila was behind the current economic woes through his unity pact with former President Uhuru Kenyatta and vowed to counter the Monday protests with the full force of law.

In a televised address, Azimio parliamentary group legislators urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to summon and question the deputy president.

On Wednesday while addressing a gathering of leaders from Trans Nzoia County at State House, Gachagua said that Raila's decades-long protests against sitting governments would soon come to a halt, permanently.

"Huyo mzee ni sisi na yeye. Huyo mzee amesumbua Kenya for the last 60 years wakiwa na baba yake. Wakati ya kumalizana na huyo mtu ni sasa. Na ataenda akiendaga (We shall face-off with that old man. He has troubled Kenya for the last 60 years together with his father. The time to deal with him is now. He will go for good).

Azimio MPs are claiming that there is a plot by the government to silence Raila for good.

"Gachagua's sentiments have confirmed that Kenya Kwanza is taking us back to the dark days of political elimination. Should anything happen to Raila or any other Azimio leader we are going to hold the president and his deputy responsible," said Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

He added: "The DCI should compel him to record a statement. Such reckless talk will not be tolerated just because they have been unable to address the issues affecting Kenyans."

Led by Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, the 15 MPs said the planned protest was meant to highlight seven issues that had contributed to the high cost of living. These include the scrapping of subsidies on petrol, electricity, unga and school fees, and the introduction of higher taxes on basic goods.

They also cited alleged discrimination in State appointments, 'privatization' of the country, and the continued assault on multi-party democracy by the Head of State.

But in a rebuttal, Kenya Kwanza legislators termed the protest as "treasonable and unpatriotic actions of a sore loser". In a statement, the more than 20 MPs said the protest was "carefully planned to only benefit Raila and not Kenyans as has happened in the past".

"Just a few short months ago, Raila was very okay with everything that he is today complaining about until he lost the election. Raila was very okay when the previous regime was looting State coffers dry. The emerging revelations reveal the shocking impunity with which Kenya was scammed and robbed dry as Raila watched and benefited from the accruing deals," said National Assembly Chief Whip Sylvanus Osoro.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa revealed details of a Wednesday night meeting between Raila and ODM members where he alleged that plans were laid to ensure that there was chaos in the capital on Monday.

"Past regimes might have made Raila think that he is above the law. But we are here to make sure that he is subject to the law. Any lawlessness on Monday will be met with the full force of the law," said Mr Ichung'wah.