Raila to Ruto: Heed people's warning shot

Azimio leader Raila Odinga. He says protests a vote of no confidence in Legislature, Judiciary and Executive. [File, Standard]

Azimio leader Raila Odinga has cautioned President William Ruto not to take for granted protests by the young people.

Mr Odinga, who described what happened as a vote of no confidence in the Legislature, the Judiciary and the Executive, told Ruto protesters were not mad and must be heard.

Speaking in Ugunja, Siaya, during the burial of Owino Nyadi, Raila told Ruto to focus on finding the solutions to the issues raised. He said that the people had demonstrated that they did not have faith in Ruto's administration.

"What happened was a vote of no confidence in Parliament. Those were Kenyans from all walks of life coming out to say they do not have faith in the National Assembly. The president must focus on what is happening now and put the MPs aside, then people can talk," he said.

Odinga on June 29 said that the issues the young people are raising are not only about the Finance Bill 2024 but many other problems affecting Kenyans.

"Very many young Kenyans who have gone to school and studied well and have certificates and degrees are jobless. Remember we had told you that as Azimio, we had plans on how to handle these yet this government came up with a hustler narrative and now they are not able to handle anything. Everything they try is collapsing," he said.

He said all the issues raised by protesters were anchored in the National Dialogue Committee report which was yet to be implemented even after the committee had dispensed with it and sent it to him and the president months ago.

The report was a product of bipartisan talks between President Ruto and the Azimio leader following anti-government protests. It made a myriad of proposals touching on legal and policy reforms, and issues of concern to Kenyans.

Mr Odinga claimed that President Ruto had the wrong advisers, adding that his speech on Tuesday night was "a bad one, full of chest-thumping and written by his bad advisers".

"I told him the protests will not stop if you do not come out and talk strongly about it. We are at a delicate place as a country and anybody who is not aware is foolish," he said.

Mr Odinga urged the young people to remain firm as a people and maintain their focus.

Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi called on the president to act in good faith and implement the NADCO report before embarking on another round of national talks.