Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga has raised concerns about the potential consequences of the ongoing Gen Z-led protests calling for President William Ruto’s resignation.
In a media address on July 14th, Odinga warned that if the president were to step down, the situation could actually worsen as it would result in Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua taking over.
Odinga did not mince words, referring to both Ruto and Gachagua as ‘devils’.
“If you want the government not to be in place you have to replace the Constitution, the Constitution says that the president can resign if he finds that things are too hot for him.
“But if he resigns the result is that his deputy takes over and I don’t know if Gachagua is better than Ruto. To me, they are all the same. They are devils,” he said.
Oburu Odinga Warns Gen Z of Consequences
Furthermore, the senator expressed his view that Gachagua was even worse, accusing him of turning the country into a “shareholding company” through his previous remarks on shareholding.
While acknowledging the youth’s desire for change, Odinga cautioned that the realistic scenario is that the government must continue with either Ruto or Gachagua, or the government could collapse entirely.
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In the event of a government collapse, Odinga warned of dire consequences, including the possibility of the military taking over, as has happened in several other African countries.
“And if the government falls there are many consequences one most obvious consequence in a chaotic situation like that is that the army will take over like in Egypt and other African States and you know what happens then, when that happens it won’t be very nice,” said Odinga.
He cautioned that while some may initially support the military’s intervention, believing they have removed the “devil,” the reality could even be worse.
Oburu noted that in such an event the Constitution would be suspended and the freedoms enjoyed by the Gen Z protesters would be lost, with everyone potentially facing a kind of detention.
Oburu Odinga Calls for Peaceful Dialogue
Additionally, Odinga expressed his support for the Gen Z movement and urged the youth to consider peaceful dialogue.
He defended the ODM Party’s decision to engage in talks with President William Ruto and emphasized the importance of forming a government of national unity after the dissolution of the cabinet.
“We as ODM have our policies and we have decided to go for talks to negotiate so that the next government being formed after the dissolution of Cabinet can be a government of national unity,” said Senator Odinga.
He noted that those who did not want to negotiate for such a coalition would not be forced, however he emphasized that ODM party was ready to move forward with this approach.
Also Read: Raila Almost Lost His Life, Gen Zs Told After Rejecting Deal with Ruto
Right Decision for the ODM Party
Furthermore, Oburu Odinga believes this is the right decision for the party because it aims to include all Kenyans, particularly those from communities other than the Kikuyus and Kalenjins, who have historically been excluded.
“I think that is a better option than saying Ruto must go, because if Ruto goes then either Gachagua takes over or the military…in a chaotic situation such as that where there is no leadership then I don’t know what we expect as a people,” he said.
Odinga however, emphasized that his push for a government of national unity was not fueled by personal desire for a political office but rather his desire to the progress of the country.
He urged Gen Z to welcome guidance from elders and to not reject the political class in its entirety, as it is essential for the country’s well-being.
“I wish the Gen-Z well, but please be guided by the elders. Don’t move alone and don’t say you don’t want a political class. How will a country be guided if you don’t want a political class? Which class do you want to lead the country?” he said.
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