Raila returns from UAE ahead of Azimio rally on punitive taxes

The Narc Kenya leader accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of disregarding the opinions of the people during public participation on the Finance Bill.

"The Ruto regime ensured that the wishes of the people were ignored. Instead, they retained punitive taxes on fuel, housing, turnover, and salaries. This is like showing the people of Kenya the contempt card," she said.

Raila has declared the coalition's readiness to return to mass demonstrations as a last resort after exhausting alternative avenues of engaging the government on the soaring cost of living.

In the face of growing discontent over the rising cost of living coupled with the passage into law of the contentious Bill which seeks to introduce a raft of new taxes, Azimio is expected to give the "signal" for mass protests.

The Bipartisan Talks Committee Co-chairperson George Muragara has asked the opposition to consider resuming the talks and shelve plans for demonstrations.

In May the Azimio team announced the suspension of the talks which were geared at finding a middle ground for the government and the opposition on various issues of concern.

However, the talks became a cat-and-mouse game, with no end to the wrangling between the two sides.

The Azimio side cited a lack of goodwill from their Kenya Kwanza counterparts' to engage in the talks.

As discontent mounts over the cost of living, the Kamukunji rally holds the potential to ignite a return to mass protests witnessed in March and April.