Targeting opposition chiefs during demos can only make matters worse

A section of Azimio supporters pray during anti-government protests in Mombasa on July 12, 2023. [Omondi Onyango, Standard]

There are shocking claims doing the rounds. Some Opposition leaders, including Raila Odinga himself, have alleged a plot to assassinate the Azimio leader over the ongoing demonstrations against President William Ruto's administration.

Last week, Raila alleged that there was an assassination plot against him during the Saba Saba protests. He further alleged that a special squad had been mooted to target opposition leaders. Recently, Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga also claimed that a plot had been hatched by the government to eliminate his brother.

There have been many other such claims. In April, Dr Oburu made similar allegations against the government and even suggested that the international community was privy to the Raila assassination plot. Nine years ago, Oburu alleged a similar plot to assassinate his brother and even roped in the president of a neighbouring country.

It's hard to tell whether there is substance in such claims or whether they are merely products of fertile imaginations. However, it would be a bad coincidence if Raila's claims that his vehicles had been targeted by gunmen, were proven to be true. In March, Raila said his car was shot at seven times with live bullets. He made a similar claim last week.

Such stories send a chill down the spines of right thinking Kenyans. It would be delusional to think that killing Raila, or any other opposition leader, would end demonstrations. The move would, most likely, have the opposite effect. It could amplify public discontent and push the country to the edge of the precipice.

The truth is that opposition leaders are merely opportunists in so far as the current protests are concerned. They are capitalising on the general frustration of populace over the relentlessly rising cost of living. That's why demonstrations are taking place even in places where people have never lifted a finger against this or previous governments. There have been protests in areas where Dr Ruto was hugely popular during the last elections; where Raila would have feared to rear his head.

It's foolhardy to imagine that eliminating Raila, or any other opposition leader, would stamp out seething public anger over the cost of living. Unfortunately, some coded messages posted on social media, allegedly by a senior government official, seem to allude to the assassination plot. If our investigative agencies are worth their salt, such messages must not be swept under the carpet.

The government can deny the opposition 15 minutes of fame if it wants by listening to citizens' cries. It's not a secret that Kenyans are suffering, and the government, which rode to power by promising to take care of mama mboga, appears unbothered by her plight. Increasing the cost of fuel, for instance, only makes the government unpopular as it pushes up the cost of living across the board.

All said and done, talk of an assassination plot - whether factual or a case of crying wolf - is not good for this country. It should prompt the government to beef up the security of opposition leaders. Withdrawing their  security detail will only heightens suspicion.