Countrywide Mass Action is Coming Back - Edwin Sifuna

13, Apr 2023 / 2 min read/ By Livenow Africa

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna on Wednesday, April 12, warned that Azimio was on the verge of another round of countrywide mass actions. 

Sifuna claimed that President William Ruto had deliberately ignored their concerns which they tabled way before the demonstrations. 

He asked Kenyans to prepare for more demonstrations, which he claimed would be very peaceful despite provocations to violence.

Asked to rate the possibility of the return of biweekly demonstrations, Sifuna stated that every factor points to the return of mass actions. 

"There is 90 per cent chance that will go back to the streets because we have been treated with contempt," Sifuna affirmed. 

According to Sifuna, their demands were clear but the Kenya Kwanza administration chose to control the agenda that will be discussed in the bipartisan committee. 

The ODM Secretary-General claimed that President Ruto was subtly in charge of the talks by trying to determine the course of discussion. 

"If we are not going to discuss the price for maize flour, then I'll ask my Party Leader to relieve me of any responsibilities in the Bipartisan committee," Sifuna stated. 

He also noted that he will be asking Nairobi voters to decide whether Azimio la Umoja should continue with the talks to go back to the streets. 

He noted that the Azimio coalition was not happy with Ruto's 'ill-treatment', stating that their options were still available. 

The options included but not limited to countrywide mass action, which according to Sifuna, would have to continue until all demands were met. 

"The contempt with which they taking this process, the Opposition and public, which have genuinely invested in a dialogue, is the reason why we will go back to the streets. 

Sifuna's sentiments were supported by Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino who claimed that President Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua provoked Azimio la Umoja in their recent utterances.  

Babu claimed it is the government and its top officials who would become victims should the biweekly demonstrations make a comeback.  

"They are contributing to their injuries by making these inflammatory statements which are annoying and do not go well with us" Babu Owino stated. 

The Bipartisan Committee members who were appointed by both President Ruto and the Opposition Leader Raila Odinga were yet to meet and set agenda for discussions. 

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