MPs aligned with President William Ruto slammed Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s planned mass protest in Nairobi.
At the same time, lawmakers from Kenya’s ruling Kwanza administration urged Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to beef up security to protect Kenyans and their property. At a press conference held in the Parliament premises, the 15 MPs described the street demonstrations as misguided and an attempt to topple a legally elected administration.
The parliamentarians, led by MP George Murugara of the Tharaka party, advised Kenyans to reject demands from the opposition to participate in the protests, stating that the protest organizers were only looking out for themselves.
“It is heartbreaking that the nation is once more being lured into needless and unwarranted political squabbling by an idle and desperate opposition that is hell-bent on fueling violence at every opportunity after being trounced hands down in the last elections,” Murugara said.
We implore Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, who we know is capable of handling the job, to take steps to protect Kenyans who value peace from all the evils being prepared by the opposition.
Prior to the Monday major rallies, Raila is conducting frantic tours across the nation and mobilizing his supporters. He has insisted that the President must answer some of his demands, such as the high cost of living.
At least five counties have taken to the streets in anti-government demonstrations against the high cost of living since calling for widespread action. Kisumu, Vihiga, Nyandarua, Migori, and Narok are the counties. The Ruto MPs asserted yesterday that the goal of the demonstrations is to force a handshake government through the backdoor.