Keep off Raila's mass actions, ODM rebels tell Kenyans

The MPs include Jalang'o (Lang'ata), Tom Ojienda (Kisumu) and Caroli Omondi (Suba South)

In Summary
  • The MPs said it was time to hold a National Economic Dialogue to find solutions to the country's collective economic challenges.
  • "Let our political competition be at the level of competing economic ideas," they said.
Suba South MP Caroli Omondi (speaking) with a section of the nine ODM rebels at the Parliament Buildings on March 17,2023.
Suba South MP Caroli Omondi (speaking) with a section of the nine ODM rebels at the Parliament Buildings on March 17,2023.
Image: HANDOUT

The nine ODM rebels have asked their electorates to keep off the mass action scheduled for Monday, March 20.

Speaking during a press conference at Parliament Buildings on Friday, they said the economic challenges facing Kenyans will not be resolved by political confrontation and other forms of political partisanship.

The nine will not be participating in the picketing, despite being elected under the Orange Party.

"We equally urge our constituents to do likewise," they said in a press statement read on their behalf by Suba South MP Caroli Omondi.

The MPs said it was time to hold a National Economic Dialogue to find solutions to the country's collective economic challenges.

"Let our political competition be at the level of competing economic ideas," they said.

The legislators called for those who will participate in the demonstrations to do so peacefully. 

"We encourage all Kenyans who wish to participate in the demonstrations planned for next week, to do so peacefully and in a manner that strengthens democratic rule and does not encourage anarchy and breakdown of law and order," Omondi said. 

Acknowledging the right to picket and hold demonstrations as an expression of citizens' political aspirations, the MPs said such actions must be done within the confines of the law.

"We appreciate that such actions are essential to the advancement of our democracy. It is our firm belief that such demonstrations must be peaceful and orderly, and not injure the rights and property of others," they affirmed. 

"We encourage those who will join the demonstrations to return to their normal economic and social activities as soon as possible, especially those who engage in farming, to take advantage of the current rains to plough and plant."

Omondi was accompanied by Kisumu Senator Prof Tom Ojienda and MPs Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Paul Abuor (Rongo), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem) and Phelix Odiwour alias Jalang'o (Langata).

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