International media channel hard-press Raila on scheduled Mass action
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Raila explains why he didn't call for mass action during the reign of former President Uhuru Kenyatta over the high cost of living
Raila explains why he didn’t call for mass action during the reign of former President Uhuru Kenyatta over the high cost of living.
Speaking during an interview with Voice of Africa Swahili on Friday, March 17, Raila stated that Uhuru Kenyatta attempted to cushion Kenyans from the high cost of living.
During Uhuru’s regime, the government offered fuel and maize subsidies to keep the rising cost of living at bay.
However, Ruto expunged the subsidies, claiming they only benefitted selected individuals and were a conduit for corruption.
He argued that the lion’s share of the subsidy funds ended up in the pockets of highly-placed officials in Uhuru’s government.
According to Raila, President Ruto upon taking power failed to deliver his promise to Kenyans despite being given ample time to uplift the economy.
“When they got into power, they promised to lower the cost of living and promised to deal with it within the first 90 days. They forgot the promise they made to the people,” he stated.
The Azimio leader reiterated that he gave Ruto 100 days, to address the situation and had tried to engage the president but was unsuccessful.
“He chose to be proud and looked down upon us and now the time to talk has lapsed. We do not like demonstrations but we are forced to,” he maintained.
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Raila insisted that he will continue to advocate for peace and even informed the police, in writing, of his demonstration plans, as directed by the President.
However, the ODM party leader was hard-pressed to explain why he did not seek more legal redress.
“We had the majority in both houses but our members of Parliament were bought. Ruto now uses his acquired majority lawlessly and that is why we decided to go back to the people who have no price tag,” he remarked.
Raila reiterated that the mass action scheduled for March 20 would go as planned and invited Kenyans to turn up in large numbers.
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