Ruto now wants the US, and Uk to issue sanctions against Raila
Ruto now wants the US, Uk, and other friendly western countries to issue sanctions against Raila over mass action
Ruto now wants the US, Uk, and other friendly western countries to issue sanctions against Raila over mass action.
President William Ruto’s administration wants the West to impose sanctions, including a travel ban, against opposition leader Raila Odinga over his calls for mass action and rejection of his election win.
According to the Sunday Nation, lawmakers and politicians allied to the Ruto administration have revealed a raft of actions that they want the United States, the United Kingdom, and western countries to take against Raila Odinga, whom they accuse of destabilizing the government.
This comes after the Azimio leader announced that he will lead mass protests in 14 days if the Azimio coalition’s demands for changes in the formula for choosing Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) members and lowering the cost of living are not honored.
The new escalation of antagonism comes after diplomatic sources revealed that Ruto was responsible for the Azimio leader’s ouster from his position at the African Union.
It is a part of the President’s bigger plan to “politically contain” the former premier.
“You cannot earn the respect of the international community when you are busy trying to cause civil strife in your country. (President Robert) Mugabe of Zimbabwe was a respected democrat but when he started undermining the same democratic tenets, the international community placed tough sanctions against him. Raila has earned a name for himself for being a Democrat. But if he starts behaving like a rebel, we will ask the international community to punish him,” said National Assembly Deputy Majority Leader Owen Baya.
A lawmaker allied to Ruto says the plan is to use both diplomatic and constitutional means to deal with Mr. Odinga, likening his planned activities to those of a rebel out to cause civil strife.
The MP has also suggested that Raila Odinga be denied the privileges he enjoys both locally and internationally by virtue of his former office, among them access to VIP lounges at airports.
He sees Raila’s pronouncement of seeking to reclaim his “stolen victory” as dangerous and says it should not be ignored by the international community.
“Does he want to overthrow the legally elected government and proceed to install himself? We are having a conversation about this even with Uhuru (Kenyatta); if he continues undermining the current regime, we will ask that he be withdrawn from his regional peace mission.”
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However, Foreign and Diaspora Affairs CS Alfred Mutua said there are no plans as of yet to have Raila Odinga banned from traveling to Western countries. He said the government “has no time to engage Mr. Odinga in his unending political theatrics”.
“We are not into witch-hunting. From where we stand, we are not interested in what he wants to do. If he wants to demonstrate, let him proceed,” said Dr. Mutua.
But Azimio leaders said the planned mass protests are within the Constitution. They said it would be surprising for western countries to listen to such unfounded requests.
“We’re not scared by those threats, as what we are doing is within the law. If Western countries can agree to those requests, then they will justify our fears that they rigged Kenya Kwanza into power,” said Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi.
National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi said those thinking they can manage the opposition leader through such blackmail will be in for a rude shock.
“Raila Odinga is an institution. Anybody imagining that he can be cut down to size is living in a world of fantasy. They should watch out; they will definitely be surprised,” said Mr. Wandayi.
Also read,
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