Azimio alleges Ruto allies scheme to hire goons to counter protests

National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi during a press conference onJuly 17, 2023. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard] Azimio leaders have alleged a plot by Kenya Kwanza to infiltrate demonstrations and attack protesters. In a show of defiance, Azimio Parliamentary Group meeting yesterday, affirmed their commitment to proceed with the anti-government demonstrations planned for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. This comes despite President William Ruto issuing a stern warning against protests. The opposition maintained that the protests will continue until the government addresses the high cost of living. Addressing a press conference after a parliamentary group meeting at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation in Nairobi, yesterday, Azimio leaders accused the Kenya Kwanza government of sanctioning militia to counter peaceful protesters. National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi said they are aware of government's plan to allegedly have armed militia attack opposition supporters following a resolution of the Kenya Kwanza parliamentary group meeting on Saturday. During the said meeting at State House Nairobi, the president asked the MPs to embark on a grassroots drive to "protect their constituents' lives and property." Wandayi accused the Head of State of allegedly organising some youth to infiltrate the Azimio protests to cause chaos with the help of the Kenya Kwanza leaders who are "expected to tame their constituencies." "For the first time in the history of Kenya, State House has sanctioned militia, we are very concerned that the leadership that is currently in place can take such a direction to attack peaceful demonstrators," he said. "This is the first time we are seeing leaders coming out openly to declare war against the people because this is exactly what happened at Statehouse," he added. Wandayi also dismissed claims by Kenya Kwanza leaders that he is seeking handshake with President William Ruto saying they are losing touch with the people. The Ugunja MP said that they will not cower from exercising article 37 of the Constitution and will only end protests one the cost of living has been lowered "We have never seen a government loose base that quick and its simply because they are not listening to the cries of its people. What people want is food let them remember that a hungry nation is an angry nation," he said. "The know they have failed and that's why their heads are stuck up on nusu mkate and handshake let them know that all we want is food. Our people want food," Wandayi added. Senate Minority leader Stewart Madzayo said: "People don't care. All that they want is food and decent standards of living... The people realise they don't eat the government. People eat food and they want food." Azimio leaders said they will not be intimidated to call off protests and urged their supporters to turn out in large numbers on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. "The peaceful protests planned for this week are on as earlier declared by our leaders. These protests will go on in line with Article 37 of our Constitution which provides for freedom of peaceful assembly and picketing and no authority has got the power to suspend the operations of Article 37, no person, authority, agency, not William Ruto, Kithure Kindiki, not Rigathi Gachagua," Wandayi said. The MP who took a swipe at Ruto's administration said "it was time for them to vacate office as it was clear they have no policies for our nation." "if their solutions are not working for the people let them disband and quit. Let them admit their failures, why are they asking for solutions from the opposition, aren't they the Government?? We are asking them to quit and give power to people with solutions," he said At the same time, the Azimio leaders said the signature collection drive to delegitimise President Ruto's regime is still on course and it will happen simultaneously with the protests. "We can also confirm that the signature collection is going on and it will proceed side by side with the protests. This exercise is also protected under Article 1 of our Constitution," the MP said. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna revealed that they have faced more than 1,000 attacks on the website but are still on course to collect 15 million signatures after which they will announce the next course of action. This came even as the Political Parties Liaison Committee called for dialogue between President Ruto and Azimio leader Raila on key issues including electoral reforms. "We cannot fight and maim each other out of the current crisis. There will be no Kenya left, however we can dialogue and engage with other out of it," he said Addressing the Press at a Nairobi hotel yesterday, the committee led by the chair Evans Misati said all parties need to sit down and table their views for a national healing dialogue. "Our elections must deliver finality. Kenyans are aware that election results have always been a minefield of all manner of allegations and its time we sort that out," he said. Misati said the committee found that the winner takes it all system has failed the nation and its time to examine the electoral structure "We recommend that all protagonists come to the table for dialogue on electoral reforms in a bid to find a lasting solution," he said. Further the committee called for peaceful protests and respect for the Constitution to save lives. "It's essential that law enforcement agencies exercise restraint and adhere to proper protocols to ensure the safety of the public during protests. On the other hand, its paramount that protesters adhere to the law," he said. The committee has called for an all-inclusive Kenya national dialogue and healing conference.

Azimio alleges Ruto allies scheme to hire goons to counter protests

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