Kenyans want their sovereign power back, Raila tells Ruto

In a statement, Raila noted that Kenyans also want accountability from Ruto's administration.

In Summary
  • Raila has on many occasions, attributed the sovereignty of Kenya to her citizens.
  • This is indicated in Article 1 of the Constitution.
Azimio La Umoja leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka after addressing journalists at SKM Center in Karen on April 18,2023.
Azimio La Umoja leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka after addressing journalists at SKM Center in Karen on April 18,2023.
Image: ENOS TECHE

Opposition chief Raila Odinga has said Kenyans want accountability from President William Ruto's administration. 

In a statement on Tuesday,  Raila noted that sovereign power belonged to the people, who he said wanted it back.

"Mr Ruto, you may have weakened Parliament, captured state institutions and co-opted the judiciary to consolidate power. But power ultimately belongs to the people, who are now taking it back and demanding direct accountability from you. That is the position," he said.

Raila has on many occasions, attributed the sovereignty of Kenya to her citizens.

This is indicated in Article 1 of the Constitution.

"All sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya and shall be exercised only in accordance with this Constitution."

The statement comes shortly after the Azimio leadership affirmed that they will resume nationwide protests after Ramadhan, which is set to end on April 20.

The Constitution gives the right to people to protest peacefully.

Article 37 states that, "Every person has the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket, and to present petitions to public authorities."

Azimio had halted the demos to create room for negotiation talks, which they have now said they will not take part in.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said a motion raised in Parliament on the bipartisan talks was in bad faith.

"Last evening, we learned of a motion drafted by Kenya Kwanza leadership allegedly aimed at setting up a joined selection, the motion is in absolute bad faith because we have insisted on an extra-parliamentary process, we will therefore not participate in any such parliamentary process," he said.

The motion was raised by National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah before the House Business Committee on the Kenya Kwanza proposed trajectory the bipartisan talks should take.

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