Brian Mayodi
The Azimio la Umoja Coalition will go ahead with its Monday march to State House, according to Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Sifuna stated that President William Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, ought to be held accountable on Thursday.
“Should Raila Odinga catch a cold on Monday, the person to be held responsible is none other than President Ruto and DP Gachagua,” he said.
Sifuna spoke at a news conference held on Thursday at the Parliament buildings.
The ODM Senator had earlier stated that Azimio had no choice but to voice their frustrations through the means provided by the constitution because the government had refused to engage in dialogue.
“Indeed the window for dialogue has closed because we were hoping we would have the conversation about the issues within the time frame we gave,” Sifuna said.
He also mentioned how despite Azimio holding nonviolent protests, they are still referred to as violent individuals.
“We have had 21 rallies and no injuries and cases of destruction of properties have been reported, they have been peaceful. Yet people continue to characterize us as people of violence. We understand the law and rights and we intend to use them,” Sifuna said.
President William Ruto argued that Raila must reassure Kenyans that his massive gathering won’t be as chaotic as they have been for the previous 50 years.
“Kenyans have the right to protest but must do so peacefully and within the law. Odinga has been holding bloody and chaotic demonstrations for the last 50 years; he needs to assure Kenyans that this will be different, ” Ruto said.
“This is why we’ve told Raila Odinga to sit down with police and explain to them how the demonstrations will be peaceful, ” he added.
The President insisted that other Kenyans who were not taking part in the protests should not have their lives disrupted, their property destroyed, or their businesses negatively impacted.
