Work With Kindiki - Ruto Gives Condition on Raila's March 20 Demos

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and President William Ruto.
President William Ruto (left) and Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (right) at separate events.
PCS
ODM

President William Ruto on Wednesday, March 15 gave Azimio Chief Raila Odinga the green light to conduct mass action scheduled for March 20.

Speaking during a meeting with leaders from Western Region, the Head of State asked Raila to work with Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki and gave him several responsibilities.

"It is your responsibility to work with the police to ensure that for the rest of the citizens in Kenya, their lives are not disrupted their property is not destroyed and their businesses are not affected and they can go to work, you can carry out demonstrations," Ruto remarked.

President William Ruto, DP Rigathi Gachagua , Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi and Speaker Moses Wetangula at State House Grounds on March 15, 2023
President William Ruto, DP Rigathi Gachagua, Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi and Speaker Moses Wetangula at State House Grounds on March 15, 2023.
William Ruto

However, the President castigated the former Premier for trying to arm-twist the government and in a thinly-veiled jibe, alleged that it was nearly impossible for Raila to hold peaceful protests. 

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua called out Odinga for being pretentious stating that if he meant well for the people, he would have led the protests during the end of President Uhuru Kenyatta's regime.

On his part, Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi slammed Raila for illegally declaring March 20 a public holiday, stating that it was the preserve of Kindiki's ministry.

Mudavadi accused him of impunity and double-speak for acting against the very Constitution he claimed to protect. He gave him two things to ponder before he proceeded to the streets.

"What are you going to do to the businesses that will lose income on that day? What are you going to do to the employees who will be forced to lose their jobs because you blocked them from going to work? Will you take over their household responsibilities?" He posed.

The sentiments were reiterated by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula who accused him of leading Kenyans astray for his own personal reasons.

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya called on residents from his county to boycott the planned mass action and instead focus on putting food on their tables.

Raila's close ally and former Cabinet Minister Noah Wekesa declared support for the Kenya Kwanza administration, stating that he resonated with its policy.

Meanwhile, the opposition chief warned Kindiki against plans to have police officers disrupt his rallies and the main procession in the Nairobi Central Business District. 

President William Ruto (right) and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya shake hands after a meeting held on March 15, 2023.
President William Ruto (right) and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya shake hands after a meeting held on March 15, 2023.
State House
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