Members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Nairobi County Cluster have reiterated their support for President William Ruto's government even as they condemned the "massive destruction" caused in the city during the recent series of protests.
The cluster, drawn from all 17 Nairobi constituencies, held a consultative meeting on Wednesday, July 17, to touch base on the recent occurrences in the city, particularly the anti-government protests including the Saba Saba Day demos.
"The party strongly condemns the acts of lawlessness recently witnessed in the city that led to massive looting and destruction of businesses, public institutions, injuries to innocent citizens, and loss of lives in some cases," part of the statement read.
The party members called for a probe to identify, apprehend, and punish the people behind this destruction, even as the government takes action on security officers seen to have overreacted and brutalised citizens "in the bid to contain the rioters."
The party commended its supporters and other Kenyans who did not attend the demonstrations. It claimed that the commemoration of the original 1990 Saba Saba Day had been infiltrated by people seeking to undermine President Ruto's administration.
"It is our stand that what was witnessed was not a commemoration of Saba Saba but an attempt by a section of leaders to hide behind Saba Saba to settle political scores with President William Ruto," the statement further read.
Despite this, the members insisted they would keep supporting the broad-based government under the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding between their party leader Raila Odinga and the President.
As such, it maintained that it would support national unity, stability, and the creation of a conducive environment that enables the government to move with speed to tackle all the pressing socio-economic challenges the country faces.
It also claimed that the recent historic disbursement of all county funds in the new financial year has been overshadowed by these protests, despite being its first since devolution.
"We note that for the first time since counties came into existence, the [national] government has released all monies due to counties as the new financial year begins. Honesty and sincerity require that we recognise this milestone, congratulate the government, and offer support," the statement read.
"We see this development as an indication of what the Broad-Based Government can achieve in all other areas, given time, support, and a conducive environment."
On issues unrelated to the protests, the party cluster commended the full reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, despite what they termed as a long struggle accompanied by attempts at sabotage.
