Azimio leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday lamented that the government deliberately blocked the cost of living issue from the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) agenda.
In a statement shared on his platforms, the opposition leader alleged that the Azimio faction had proposed to have the National Dialogue Committee discuss matters related to the cost of living, a request which was declined.
Raila claimed that the government thwarted attempts to have talks revolving around this particular issue, labelling it as “strictly a government affair”.
"As Azimio we wanted the matter of the cost of living to be discussed as part of NADCO. Kenya Kwanza insisted “that it was strictly a government affair,” read his statement in part.
He further lamented that the matter having not been discussed, was still a pertinent issue facing majority of Kenyans
According to Raila, the high-cost living burden saddled on Kenyans was a major cause of heightened political temperatures in the country.
“However, as is evident even today, the cost of living is the most important issue,” added Raila
The former Prime Minister additionally, faulted the government for deploying the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) on Kenyan streets insisting that was unnecessary.
He further called for pulling out the soldiers from the Kenyan streets, arguing that the country was not under any threat to warrant such a response.
“Unless we are in a State of Emergency, the police and army should immediately be taken off the streets,” read the statement.
Additionally, Raila piled pressure on the government to compensate victims of police brutality and the families who lost their loved ones during the protests.
The opposition leader’s sentiments came moments after he backed Ruto’s call for dialogue with the Kenyan youth.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader stated he approved the formation of the multi-sectoral forum following a consultative meeting with the Head of State.
