Stop treating us with contempt, Raila to Ruto
3 min read
Raila says they're ready to talk but as expected, Ruto has been disrespecting Azimio crippling the bipartisan talks
Raila says they’re ready to talk but as expected, Ruto has been disrespecting Azimio crippling the bipartisan talks.
Azimio la Umoja coalition leader Raila Odinga has said that while they are prepared to speak with the government, the process has not gone as smoothly as anticipated.
Raila claims that despite the opposition’s willingness to meet with the administration to discuss issues, they have always been treated with disdain, crippling attempts to air their grievances.
Odinga said in a speech while at a church service in Nairobi’s ACK St. Stephen’s Cathedral that there is a need to streamline the issues affecting citizens, but that this cannot be done if the conflict with the government is not settled.
“We want talks and we are ready to talk but come with a clean heart in the talks, not with disrespect. If you disrespect then you will also be disrespected,” said Raila.
“We are not mad men who want to see bloodshed in our country. We also have children, mothers and fathers. We want Kenyans to be united and if they (gov’t) have refused, then it is up to them.”
Odinga reiterated his call for peace, saying that it is the cornerstone upon which the anti-government demonstrations are built.
He claimed that excessive police force is to blame for the violent aftermath of protests, which resulted in the deaths of civilians and damage to property.
“We are peaceful people and we want peace. some people are saying that all we want to do is protest and destroy people’s property and that is not what we are doing,” he said.
“Protesting is not destroying any person’s property. The ones who are causing chaos are the ones coming with teargas and water and guns. Those are the ones bringing destruction and not us.”
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He called on the faithful to pray for the Azimio coalition even as they challenge the government to address the issues ailing Kenyans, vowing not to bow out until the government heeds to their demands.
“Pray for us as Azimio leaders so that we are able to bring this relief to Kenyans and fairness and have the high cost of living be lowered,” said Raila.
“We want to do everything in peace and peace is what will deliver Kenyans from where we are now to where we will find relief.”
Raila was flanked by former Azimio Deputy Presidential candidate Martha Karua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Former Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa, Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah.
Others are Senators Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi) and Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi) and MPs Peter Orero (Kibra), George Aladwa (Makadara) and Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja).
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