- With Raila keen to box Ruto into a corner, the President has to make a tactical balance between keeping the country stable and at the same time countering the opposition.
- With Raila keen to box Ruto into a corner, the President has to make a tactical balance between keeping the country stable and at the same time countering the opposition.
Political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi has asked President William Ruto to shun politics and embrace leadership.
In a statement on Thursday, Ngunyi said that leadership from both Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga is needed.
"Dear Ruto: What the country needs now is leadership, not politics. Leadership from you and leadership from Babaman(Raila). You have half the country. He has half the country. Be the bigger man. And M-Pesa Bishops will not give you this counsel," he said.
This is after the opposition chief has been leading a series of anti-government rallies countrywide in what seems to be back and forth with the President.
With Raila keen to box Ruto into a corner, the President has to make a tactical balance between keeping the country stable and at the same time countering the opposition.
On Thursday, Raila declared the start of mass action against the Kenya Kwanza regime which he termed illegitimate.
In a hard-hitting statement delivered at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation, Raila said they have invoked the provisions of the Constitution to launch a massive peaceful movement of defiance against an illegal government.
"Take note that on the 20th of March 2023, we have a date with destiny in Nairobi. On that day our supporters throughout the country shall stage a massive procession in Nairobi for a legitimate and inclusive government. Save the date," Raila said.
"We begin telling Ruto and Gachagua that we can’t keep living on false promises. We begin telling Ruto and Gachagua our clear understanding that when we keep taking painkillers long enough, they will cease killing the pain; and that is when the real pain will begin," he added.
Azimio's 14-day ultimatum for the Kenya Kwanza government to lower the cost of living and open IEBC servers lapsed on Wednesday at midnight.
Raila said even after the government was given time to act and act on the issues raised on February 22 at Jevanjee gardens, nothing has been done.
The ODM leader said the defiance campaign will take the shape of peaceful picketing, peaceful protests, boycotts, strikes, disobedience, peaceful petitions, peaceful sit-ins and peaceful demonstrations.
"We also urge the victims of retrogressive policies of this illegitimate regime including workers, doctors, teachers, nurses, lecturers, students and the Business community to join this political revolution and movement for change. We are stronger together."
Raila said immediately after the Kenya Kwanza regime took office, it embarked on implementing measures whose effect has been to make the cost of basic commodities and services unaffordable to most Kenyans.
He cited 15 grounds that he said informed the need for mass action including the removal of subsidies on Unga, electricity and fuel.