Traders, women lobby appeal to president and Raila on demos

Protesters light up bonfire along Juja road during protest organized by the opposition over the high cost of living on July 12,2023. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

A section of Kenyans have called on President William Ruto and Azimio La Umoja leader Raila Odinga to embrace dialogue and stop demonstrations.

Maendeleo Ya Wanawake and section of city business community urged the two leaders to have Kenyans interests at heart and act fast to avoid bloodshed.

The business community faulted the leaders for planned mass demonstrations. They said the planned protests are recipe for chaos and destruction of property.

"They have their businesses progressing while we struggle to do our business in the streets of Nairobi, we will not operate for three days," said Kevin Theuri, a Nairobi businessman, who led the members.

He said they are advocating peace and called on the opposition to call off demonstrations

They spoke on Tuesday at Muthaiga Police Station where they had gone to notify police of their planned assemblies to protect their businesses during protests.

Maendeleo Ya Wanawake also weighed in, calling for dialogue between President Ruto and opposition chief Odinga.

Chairperson Rahab Muia, said the two need to talk for the sake of peace. She urged Odinga to reconsider the three days protest for the love he has for Kenyans.

"To the former prime minister, we extend our respect and appeal to you to reconsider demonstrations. We hear you sir, your voice is influential and we firmly believe that Kenyans listens to you. We humbly request that you reach out to the president for dialogue as it is the only way to navigate the challenges at hand," Muia said.

She said Kenyans are looking up to President Ruto's leadership to address the high cost of living.

"As a nation we look up to your leadership. It is evident that life has become unbearably difficult for Kenyans. As a nationwide organisation, we can confirm that numerous families are struggling to sustain themselves, often surviving on one meal a day or none," Muia said.

Vice patron Zipporah Kittony condoled with families that lost their loved ones in previous protest and expressed the pain that a mother feels when she loses her child. "Only a mother knows the pain of losing a child," she said.

Another business group said the protests have had serious damage to their business in the past, especially those dealing in perishable goods.

The representatives from different areas in the city said the three-day demonstrations will cause major losses due to insecurity.

"Our businesses are hand to mouth and closing down for three days means that we will defy payment of loans and bills thus hunger strike," said Sarah Wanjiru, Starehe constituency chairperson.

She urged the government to address the issues to enable them to work in peace. "We want to work and pay taxes not demonstrations and thus the government must ensure conducive working environment," she said.

Nairobi central business District (CBD) hawkers ward secretary Ms Beatrice Wairimu called for civic education on picketing and demonstrations to guide demonstrators.

"The government should sensitise on peaceful ways of engaging protests as many do not understand the lawful way of participating in the protests," said Wairimu.