President William Ruto has declared that there will be no demonstrations next week.
Speaking during the launch of Njabini-Naivasha road in Nakuru County on Friday, July 14th, the president affirmed that he would not allow the opposition to hold protests for the three days.
” We are done with elections, and you will never become president by bloodshed and destruction of properties,” Ruto told Raila.
President Ruto noted that Raila Odinga used similar tactics to frustrate the Late President Mwai Kibaki and interfered with the plans he had in his second term.
Additionally, Ruto mentioned that Raila dented former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s plans through the handshake.
“Raila prevented Uhuru from achieving the big four, instead they prioritize BBI. This landed us into the debts which now stands at 9trilliom,” he said.
Looming showdown
Ruto promised to face off with the opposition adding that there will be no gains from constant demonstrations.
Further, the head of state noted that the opposition is disturbed with the progress the government has made especially in food production.
” They thought farmers cannot produce food, now that we only have two months left to the harvesting period, they start claiming that there is hunger. Will demonstrations provide food?” Ruto asked.
Ruto argued that Kenya has a constitution and the people already voted in a government, and that, Raila cannot use extrajudicial and extra-constitutional means to gain power.
The President urged Raila to wait for the 2027 elections affirming he will not force to share power like President Uhuru did through the handshake.
“I will remain firm because this country is for all of us and there is no room for demonstrations,” Ruto said.
” How many people must die for a demonstration to be successful? What value of property should be destroyed for these demonstrations to be a success? This is unacceptable,” he added.
Also Read: Nairobi Expressway Services Interrupted by Protests
Raila’s Demands
This comes after opposition leaders announced that they will hold demonstrations on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
On Thursday ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna had noted that they will hold demonstrations weekly from Monday to Wednesday.
As of Friday, July 14th, 17 people had died with most of the victims having gunshot wounds. Raila is mounting pressure on President Ruto to repeal the Finance Act, 2023 and adopt a bipartisan approach to reconstitute the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Police arrested several people, including politicians.
Also Read: Azimio Revises Maandamano Plan Due to Public Demand
