Call off the Demos, Molo MP Kimani Kuria asks Azimio

The Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Finance and Molo MP Kuria Kimani addressing the press on the Finance Bill during an MPs retreat in Naivasha. [Antony Gitonga, Standard]

Molo MP Kuria Kimani has asked the Azimio la Umoja coalition to call off their three-day anti-government protests.

Speaking during an interview with Spice FM on Tuesday, July 18, Kimani urged Azimio leaders to embrace the national dialogue that aims at addressing issues around the high cost of living.

“The people from Azimio should stop being selfish. For now, let us have a national conversation. Call off the demonstrations and whatever way you propose to settle the issues we can discuss,” said Kimani.

His remarks come two days after President William Ruto chaired a crisis meeting with leaders from the Kenya Kwanza coalition at State House, Nairobi to discuss how they are going to deal with the Azimio protests.

In the meeting, the lawmakers came up with measures on how they will deal with protests.

According to Kimani, who was present in the meeting, the government will allow people to picket but at the same time deal with those destroying public property and looting.

“We had a very long conversation on Saturday and we agreed that the right to picket and demonstrate is provided for in the constitution but on the same note, the protection of life and property is also provided in the constitution,” said Kimani.

“Therefore, they can picket and demonstrate but they should not disturb and take away the rights of those going to work. Also, those that are going to destroy any public property will be dealt with.”

Azimio la Umoja however insist that they will go forward with three-day Anti- Government protests that are scheduled to run from Wednesday, July 19 to Friday, July 21.

According to the coalition, the protests against the Kenya Kwanza administration are seeking to lower the cost of living.

Kimani however says that demonstrations will not lower the cost of living.

“There is an understanding that there is a high cost of living, but no matter how many days you demonstrate, that will not lower the cost of living. Many people can’t afford three days off because most of our people rely on informal employment,” he said.

He also added that the planned protests are allowing goons to destroy property and harm innocent citizens, more reason why they should call them off.