- Among the reasons for the protest is Raila's claim of stolen elections.
- The Azimio leader has been claiming that he was rigged out of the recently concluded August 9, 2022, general election.
Image: FILE
Opposition leader Raila Odinga has maintained that the Monday, March 20, mass action is still on.
Taking to his social media accounts, Raila listed three reasons why he will lead his supporters in the event he dubbed "The grand march to reclaim our nation".
Among the reasons for the protest is Raila's claim of stolen elections.
The Azimio leader has been claiming that he was rigged out of the recently concluded August 9, 2022, general election.
Speaking to KTN on February 28, Raila said the plan to rig him out of his victory had been happening for a long time.
He said they had carried out investigations on the same and had substantial evidence of who was involved and the conversations they had, including members of the Supreme Court.
"Evidence that we have is substantial. It cannot be controverted," he said.
Raila claimed they found out his loss was designed by ex-IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati getting involved in the procurement of the ICT infrastructure and collusion between him and the IEBC CEO Hussein Marjan with Smartmatics.
He said the IEBC shortchanged his win of 8.1 million votes against the 5.9 million votes of Ruto.
This is according to data by a whistle-blower, who said Raila got 8,170,355 (57.53 per cent) while Ruto got 5,915,973 (41.66 per cent).
Official results released by the IEBC showed that Ruto won with 7.1 million votes against Raila's 6.9 million.
Raila has insisted that Ruto should open the IEBC servers to ascertain the poll winner.
"This is the only way to restore confidence in IEBC and give legitimacy to the leadership that emerged from that election," he said.
The ODM leader also listed the high cost of living as a reason to protest.
The government has been on the receiving end of backlash over the rising cost of living.
Declaring the mass action on March 9, Raila blamed the high cost of living on the massive looting of public resources and the withdrawal of subsidies to food, fuel, and education.
After he was sworn in, Ruto did away with the subsidies, saying the country's economy could not sustain them.
The opposition leader has also cited broken promises as a reason to take on street protests.
In July 2022 released his manifesto, Ruto promised to prioritise mama mboga and improve the livelihood of ordinary Kenyans.
Seven months since he took office, Kenyans are still complaining about the high cost of living and over-taxation.
The President has kept his word on a number of promises made including the housing and settlement plan.
Since taking power, Ruto's administration has launched several affordable housing projects across the country, translating to about 26,788 housing units.
In May, the government is expected to launch three more projects in Makongeni, Starehe and Thika.
They will have 50,000 housing units.
Under the National Development Plan, Vision 2030, the government targets to provide 200,000 housing units annually for all income levels.
Ruto had also promised to appoint judges, which he did shortly after taking office.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 166(1) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya, I William Samoei Ruto, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, appoint Makori Evans Kiago and Cheruiyot Omange Judith Elizabeth to be judges of the Environment and Land Court," a notice read in part.