Raila declares Monday, March 20, a public holiday
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Raila declares Monday, March 20, a public holiday; the D-day for the mass protest in Nairobi
Raila declares Monday, March 20, a public holiday; the D-day for the mass protest in Nairobi.
Azimio Leader Raila Odinga has declared Monday, March 20, a public holiday to allow Kenyans to participate in the mass action.
Speaking during a political rally on Tuesday, March 14, in Siaya, the former Prime Minister added that it would allow their supporters who would normally go to work to join them in the rally.
“We do not want any kind of violence or bloodshed. It is going to be peaceful. We are only doing this because it is the only alternative that we have.
“In the name of Azimio one Kenya Alliance, We declare that Monday, March 20 will be a public holiday,” Raila stated.
The announcement by Raila came after Martha Karua requested Mr. Odinga to declare March 20 a public holiday in order to allow his supporters to engage in the protest.
Karua stated that it is Raila’s responsibility to take such action as the president of the people.
“March 20 is our day and I ask that Baba (Raila) should declare that day a public holiday. We cannot demonstrate demanding for right and go to work,” she said.
According to the law, the mandate to declare public holidays is vested in the cabinet secretary in charge of the Interior Ministry.
Karua said if President Ruto is sure he won the August 9 General Election, he has nothing to fear concerning the opening of the IEBC servers.
“Hiyo siku your excellency twakuomba iwe public holiday, tuweze kumaliza hii kazi. Hatuwezi kuwa na wizi wa kura miaka nenda mika rudi,” she said.
The former Justice Minister reiterated that Azimio won the presidential contest and failure to open the servers leaves them little option but to rally their supporters to the streets to seek justice.
She said the mass action is not for Raila’s benefit but for the interest of the electorate whose choice of the ballot was violated.
“Nawaomba, tujitolee tuingie Nairobi sote kwa njia ya amani tukomboe nchi yetu wananchi waewache kuumia.”
Raila declared the start of mass action against the Kenya Kwanza government but delayed the onset of the demos to March 20.
The proclamation came after a 14-day deadline he gave the administration of President William Ruto to cut living expenses and open IEBC servers had passed.
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“As your leaders, we commit to fight, resist and defy this illegitimate regime side by side with you until our voices are heard and respected,” Raila said at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation in Nairobi.
“We will be with you to the bitter end. It is action time, let us all come out, wherever we are to make our voices heard and respected,” he added.
Raila said the mass action will take the shape of street demonstrations, picketing, boycotts, disobedience, peaceful petitions and sit-ins.
“Take note that on the 20th of March 2023, we have a date with destiny in Nairobi. On that day, our supporters throughout the country shall stage a massive procession in Nairobi for a legitimate and inclusive government. Save the date,” he said.
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