Raila led, coalition group Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya, has decided to step up its criticism of President William Ruto, slamming him as a “heartless tyrant” in a statement released on Tuesday, The Kenya Times has learnt.
The alliance, led by Raila Odinga, has announced that they intend to commence what they have referred to as a third liberation during a rally that will take place at Kamukunji Grounds. The opposition maintained their staunch stance that the government of Ruto is not legitimate, which they have held since the beginning.
Raila: Ruto is a Dictator
Raila described Ruto as a “dictator who he said needed to be tamed” in a speech he gave on Tuesday.
“The fact that we are dealing with a tyrant has also become very evident. We are resolute in our efforts to rectify the situation, which has resulted in Ruto’s transformation into a cruel autocrat. We are resolute in our efforts to put an end to this predicament. As a result, we are here to announce that our Kamukunji meeting will take place in Nairobi this coming Friday, just as we had previously announced,” Azimio said in a statement.
AZIMIO STATEMENT July 4, 2023
Ladies and Gentlemen,We gather here today because THE PEOPLE HAVE HAD ENOUGH. There comes a time when being taken for granted becomes unbearable. There comes a time when being treated as fools becomes intolerable. That time has come.
Henceforth,… pic.twitter.com/TvF3wAc6T3
— Azimio TV (@AzimioTv) July 4, 2023
“However, this is not just a gathering in Nairobi; rather, it is a nationwide Kamukunji where we will launch the Third Liberation,” he said.
“On the first Friday of July 2023, we will begin campaigns to gather signatures to express our disapproval of the illegal Kenya Kwanza regime and the severe tax policies it imposes.”
Odinga and his allies, Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, Mwangi wa Iria, and Martha Karua, reaffirmed their stance on the Finance Act 2023 and criticized Ruto’s administration for removing subsidies from critical goods. They did this in response to Ruto’s government removing the subsidies.
The Kenya Times - Kenya FINANCE BILL 2023_compressed | Finance Act 2023
Unnecessary Taxes
“Ruto is forcing us to pay taxes against our will and enacting regulations that will only make our lives more challenging. The current system of taxes, along with the injustices that accompany it, is beyond our capacity to bear any longer. Ruto has even cut subsidies on necessary products such as petrol, Unga (maize flour), power, and school tuition, while at the same time offering subsidies to helicopter owners and subsidizing the extravagant lives of his supporters with the money that we have worked so hard to obtain,” the opposition group noted.
“As we speak, the cost of gas, groceries, and transportation are all on the rise to unprecedented heights. In fact, the price of the fare has already increased by thirty percent. We are not going to take it lying down. We do not show reverence to dictators or beg for their forgiveness. perhaps those who are successful risk the prospect of public shame and perhaps death. So, we have decided to engage and fight for the People.
Call for nonviolent resistance
Raila and his team has appealed for unity and among their followers as they prepare for additional demonstrations in order to forward their goal. They made a demand for their followers to commit to the idea of nonviolent resistance.
“We deplore the use of violent behavior. Our participation in picket lines, demonstrations, tax boycotts, and other forms of civil disobedience does not support the use of violent tactics. In the past, we have never condoned the use of violent behavior, and we never will. We firmly believe in the law and the rule of law, and we will act within the confines of those beliefs.”
“Our only tool is our constitutional right to engage in civil disobedience, boycotts, and other forms of public demonstration,” and beginning this coming Friday, July 7th, we will exercise this ability.
“We are not wrong. By participating in acts of civil disobedience and holding protests, it is impossible for us to be in the wrong unless the law itself is unjust. The legislation that enables us to demonstrate, picket, boycott, and present petitions is the same law that created the government and its institutions, such as Parliament, the courts, and the police. We are acting within our legal rights, and we are not going to allow ourselves to be bullied and intimidated”
Azimio has timed their demonstrations so that they will coincide with July 7, also known as “Saba Saba,” which is a momentous day on the political calendar of the nation. On July 7, 1990, Kenya was the site of huge countrywide demonstrations directed against the oppressive government of Daniel Moi.
During that time period, members of the opposition in the country were advocating for the implementation of a multiparty system as well as extensive changes to the existing political system that resulted in riots and running battles with law enforcement.
