Ruto to Raila: Criticise the government, but no demonstrations

President William Ruto responded to Raila Odinga at the launch of the Twiga Foods distribution centre at Tau city, Nairobi. [ScreenGrab: KBC]

President William Ruto has hit back at former Prime Minister Raila Odinga over his mass action threat. The president was speaking during the official launch of the Twiga Foods distribution centre at Tatu City.

Ruto said the opposition was free to criticize the ruling party but urged them to shun street politics and added street demonstrations will take a toll on the economy.

"I want to tell our brothers in Opposition to work with us, to criticise whatever they want to criticise but let us keep Kenya peaceful. We want everybody to do their job. We wish them well in doing their jobs. But they should do their job peacefully. I do not think organising demonstrations and getting Kenyans to do the things they want Kenyans to do is part of holding any government to account," Ruto said.

"They are free to criticise us but street demonstrations should not be part of the script of any responsible Opposition. That works for nobody,"

The Azimio team, led by Raila Odinga threatened a mass action over the four dissenting IEBC officials; Juliana Cherera, Francis Wanderi, Justus Nyang'aya, and Irene Masit.

Last week, the Azimio leaders termed the hearings by the justice and legal affairs committee as a travesty of justice blaming the government for targeting the four commissioners.

The four are facing the departmental committee on justice and legal affairs hearing their ouster bid on Monday, November 28, and Tuesday, November 29.

Moreover, the president has lauded Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja for imposing a ban on nightclubs operating in residential areas.

"Keep the noise away from our children. You have our support in ensuring that we reorganize the city, ensure it works for all city residents, and ensure that the standards of Nairobi are the standards of the capital city of Kenya,"