Raila Adds Fresh Demand to Talks with Ruto

Azimio leader Raila Odinga has stated that he will be presenting a new demand before the bipartisan committee.

Speaking in Homa Bay county on Monday, November 13, the opposition leader stated that he had heard the concerns of Kenyans regarding the upward review of charges for obtaining national identification cards. 

Raila asked the people gathered at the event to make sure that they had applied for national IDs and registered as members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

Further, he noted that the move would ensure the party remained dominant in many regions across the country.

“We want ODM to be strong and established in every part of the country. That is why we want every youth to have IDs,” he stated.

  Also Read: Raila Counters Ruto After Raiding His Nyanza Stronghold

Raila Issued Directive Over ID Application Charges

However, chaos began within the crowd and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga motioned to Raila that they had complaints over the directive he had given.

In addition, Wanga whispered to Raila that the government had introduced charges for application of ID cards and the people were no longer getting it for free. 

In response, Raila stated that he would present the matter before the bipartisan talks and make sure that the new charges were scrapped since it was a democratic right.

“Okay I have heard about the issue of paying for the IDs, we will present it before the bipartisan talks and remove the cost of paying for the IDs once and for all.

“Having IDs is a democratic right and Kenyans should not have to pay for it, the cost should be covered by taxpayers’ money,” added Raila. 

Also Read: ODM Declares Stance on IMF & World Bank Inclusion in Bipartisan Talks

Tips Ruto Could Use to Better the Economy

On the other hand, the opposition leader stated that President William Ruto was using the wrong strategy to try and grow the economy. 

According to Raila, there was a huge potential for the Kenyan economy to grow only if money was directed into the pockets of the people. 

“We know how to organize and run a growing economy. You cannot build the economy through over taxation of the poor. To stimulate a stagnant economy, you need to put money in the people’s pocket.,” he stated. 

Additionally, he advised the head of state to introduce and invest in program like ‘Kazi Mtaani’, which Raila stated would help the youths to make an income. 

“You need to introduce programs like Kazi Mtaani that you may be able to trigger growth. What Mr Ruto is doing is like over milking a dead cow,” he warned. 

Court suspends New ID Fees

Raila’s remakrs came after the High Court suspended the Gazette Notice that increased fees charged on IDs, birth certificates, passports and other essential services.

Notably, this was after an aggrieved citizen moved to court to challenge the notice on Thursday, November 9.

Consequently, Justice Lawrence Mugambi of the High Court suspended the changes pending the hearing and determination of the case.