Azimio leader Raila Odinga has accused foreign missions in the country of showing partisanship on matters of democracy.
Odinga has criticized the foreign missions for focusing on politics at the expense of democracy and development.
Speaking during the funeral service of Grace Aketch Onyango, the first-ever female Member of Parliament in Kenya, Odinga said that Western countries have ignored calls for a strengthened democracy and electoral justice system in Kenya. He added that the development partners have refused to listen to calls for stronger democracy in the country but instead focus on business.
Odinga stated that democracy in Europe is not different from democracy in Africa and must be applied equally.
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The opposition leader welcomed the condemnation by the US Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, of the violence against journalists by police officers during Thursday protests. However, he criticized her for leaving out the brutal attack on him and the entire Azimio team.
Odinga called on Western countries to listen to the cries of Kenyans and help provide solutions to the problems facing them, rather than what he terms as “praising” President William Ruto’s administration. He also condemned the Ruto administration for allegedly turning the country into a police state by deploying heavy contingents of police officers during Azimio protests.
Odinga announced that there would be a demonstration in Nairobi on Monday, which he referred to as “the mother of all demonstrations”. He urged Kenyans to turn out in large numbers from all corners to peacefully champion for their rights.
Martha Karua, Azimio co-principal, added that it was sad that Western countries are yet to address the alleged attempt on Odinga’s life, despite there being evidence to substantiate the claims.
She warned the police being used that they would be solely responsible for the things they are doing and that it may take years, but it will come to haunt them.