- Raila said this during his Kiambu County tour where he visited Ruaka - Kiambu- Kirigiti - Ruai – Githurai.
- He said that the demonstrations are meant to liberate Kenyans from what he called "the bad leadership of President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua".
Image: AMOS NJAU
Former prime minister Leader Raila Odinga has maintained that he will not be intimidated to call off the countrywide protests slated for Monday
Raila said this during his Kiambu County tour where he visited Ruaka - Kiambu- Kirigiti - Ruai – Githurai.
He said that the demonstrations are meant to liberate Kenyans from what he called "the bad leadership of President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua".
Raila said as Azimio, they only want to better the lives of Kenyans and the country's economy.
“We cannot be intimidated by William Ruto and Rigathi Gachagua. I want to tell them that I fought for the second liberation in this country with the likes of Kenneth Matiba. I have been fighting for democracy and was put in detention for eight years when some of them were still breastfeeding,” Mr Odinga said.
He said he is ready to pay the ultimate prize for Kenyans to have freedom claiming his win was stolen by William Ruto.
He further said that Monday demonstrations are meant to unite Kenyans and not destroy businesses owned by the Kikuyu community.
“We have no business with anyone’s business. I heard some people saying that we will destroy Kikuyu's business, and Kikuyu voted for me. They are my people. Our business on Monday will be to reclaim our victory,” Raila said.
He called on Kikuyu business owners in the city not to be fooled by the claims of Ruto's allies terming it propaganda.
Kalonzo Musyoka said that the state of the economy is skyrocketing at a high rate and Kenyans should raise their voices or they perish.
He maintained that Monday’s protests will be peaceful and urged Kenyans to join them.
He said that Kenyans are suffering and it’s high time for them to be liberated from bad leadership.
“Our demonstrations will be peaceful and will not target anyone. We won’t relent until servers are opened," Kalonzo said.
Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua said that president William Ruto and his deputy Gachagua are ignorant as Kenyans continue to suffer.
She said that they will push the opening of the ICC case in case Ruto tries to prosecute them as they fight for Kenyan rights.
Former Ndaragua Member of Parliament Jeremiah Kioni said that Azimio's leadership won the election fairly.
Kioni further revealed that former president Uhuru Kenyatta was aware of the Kiambu rally and that of Monday.
He didn’t reveal whether former president Uhuru Kenyatta will attend Monday's demonstration but he passed his greetings.
“Receive the greetings of former president Uhuru Kenyatta, he isn’t here today but he is aware we are in Kiambu and loves you very much,” Kioni said.
Nairobi ODM chairman George Aladwa confirmed to the media they will converge at Jevanjee Gardens from 9 am on Monday urging supporters to throng the venue for the crucial event that will end by mid-day.
President William Ruto has warned opposition leader Raila Odinga against holding unlawful protests that will destroy lives and property or paralyze business operations in the country.
The clergymen under the Covenant Clergy Alliance in Thika on Thursday urged former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to halt Monday demonstrations and promote peace.
The group led by Jubilee politician and former Thika parliamentary aspirant David Ngari popularly known as Gakuyo said that the demonstrations might revive the memories of 2007-2008 post-election violence.
He noted that Raila should use the right channel and reach out to the head of state William Ruto and iron out any issues affecting Kenyans.
“Raila Odinga should not incite Kenyans against each other as this will automatically lead to bloodshed. He should use alternative means,” Gakuyo said.
On Friday, Seven Members of Parliament from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) said they will not participate in the much-hyped demonstration called by Azimio la Umoja party leader Raila Odinga on Monday
The lawmakers, who included Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Paul Abuor (Rongo), Elisha Odhiambo (Rongo), Felix Odiwuor Jalang’o (Lang’ata) and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda urged Kenyans not to participate.
They claimed that the current crisis facing the country cannot be solved through political confrontation but through dialogue.