Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition has maintained that the planned Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday peaceful protests are still on.
This is despite President William Ruto’s warning who noted last week that he will not allow anymore opposition demonstrations in the country.
Moreover, Minority leader in the National Assembly Opiyo Wandayi, while addressing a press conference on Monday, July 17 stated that protests will go on in line with Article 37 of our Constitution, which provides for freedom of peaceful assembly.
“Every person has the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket, and to present petitions to public authorities,” Wandayi said.
Likewise, Wandayi announced that the signature collection exercise is still ongoing and will proceed side by side with the protests.
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“The exercise of signature collection is also protected by Article 1 of the Constitution, which provides that all sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya and shall be exercised only in accordance with this Constitution,” he added.
Wandayi faulted a section of Kenya Kwanza leaders over their sentiments on demonstrations, insinuating that opposition politicians are paying protesters to take part in the demos.
He further added that Kenyans need to worry as a ‘regime in denial and deep slumber is a very dangerous regime.’
“For anyone to claim that those protesters who came out in hundreds and thousands in places like Emali, Busia, Kitale, Kisii, Kilifi, Kakamega, Machakos, and Nairobi, among other places, were paid is to be extremely insincere and to live in deep denial,” noted the lawmaker.
Disband and Quit
The Ugunja member of parliament also criticized Kenya Kwanza leaders who accuse the opposition of not providing solutions to the rising cost of living.
He said President William Ruto’s administration should get out of power if its solutions are not working for the people.
“We know no country where a party stays in government but wants the one out of government to provide solutions to the problems of the people,” he argued.
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“Don’t ask us for solutions. Quit and pave the way for a regime that has solutions.” Wandayi added.
In their statement, Azimio la Umoja leaders raised concerns over alleged threats on Raila Odinga’s life.
Nonetheless, they urged Kenyans to fight for their rights while also commending motorists for their participation in last week’s protests.
“It is clear that Kenya Kwanza is struggling on all fronts. We call on Kenyans to wake up to the reality that we are on our own, and we have to fight for ourselves.”
