• Wamatinga stated the government is willing and ready to listen to talks geared towards developing the country and improving the livelihood of Kenyans.
• Raila on Tuesday asked his supporters to boycott Safaricom, Kenya Commercial Bank and Radio Africa group, particularly, The Star Kenya.
Image: FILE
Nyeri senator Wahome Wamatinga has said there is nothing new to the renewed call by Azimio leader Raila Odinga to boycott some products.
Speaking on Tuesday to K24, Wamatinga said the boycott calls by Raila are just an attempt to gain political ground by using similar tactics he used on previous governments and Presidents.
“It is very hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Remember the threats that have been issued by Raila Odinga about boycotting some products, it is the same script that he used with the former government,” Wamatinga said.
The senator stated that the Kenya Kwanza government is willing and ready to listen to talks that are geared towards the development of the country and improving the livelihood of Kenyans.
“We are open to dialogue, we are open to anyone who will bring in ideas whether you’re Kenyan or a whether you’re a foreigner.
"If you feel there is something you can offer us we have platforms. It is very hard to convince Kenyans that it is the issue of not having a platform to talk about what you want,” he said.
On Tuesday while addressing the media in Nairobi, Raila asked his supporters to boycott Safaricom, Kenya Commercial Bank and Radio Africa group, particularly, The Star Kenya.
He alleged that the mentioned brands have been facilitating the Kenya Kwanza government.
"These cooperates have become the enemies of people and are benefiting the blood and tears of Kenyans," he said, while part of the crowd clapped.
However, his sentiments have been met with uproar by the media fraternity which condemned Raila's call for a mass boycott of the Star newspaper amid fears the attack could endanger the lives of journalists.
Media Council of Kenya said it took Raila's statements against the Star as part of efforts to manipulate public opinion and limit freedom of the press, which are both fundamental components of a healthy democracy.
“Such attacks undermine the freedom of the press and are attempts to undermine the role of the press in freely informing the electorates based on the editorial judgments," MCK chief executive David Omwoyo said.
"Freedom of the press is an essential right that allows journalists to report on events, issues and people without fear of censorship or repression.”