Azimio la Umoja Leader Raila Odinga on Wednesday, May 31, stated that he was impressed by the youth and women who attended anti-government mass actions that he called in March and part of April 2023.
Raila noted that the young men and women who were at the heart of the demonstration needed to be supported as he had previously promised them.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader assured the youth and women that he will not leave them in poverty, noting that ahadi ni deni (a promise is a debt).
"When I called on the young people to come out in large numbers and demonstrate against the government, you heeded the call and came in to defend democracy.
"They threatened you with claims that it was not going to be business as usual, but you still came out and demonstrated against the government until they told us to calm down and have talks.
Flanked by Westlands Member of Parliament Tim Wanyonyi, Raila distributed an assortment of machines to the youth through his empowerment programme.
The machines included electronics and mechanical devices which the youth will use to take part in economic activities within Nairobi and earn a living.
Men were given compressors, car wash machines and motor vehicle mechanical liners, which the youth will use at their workplaces.
The women received beauty and beautification equipment such as dryers and saloon kits which they will use at their beauty parlors.
The youth promised to use the machines to improve their living standards, noting that Azimio la Umoja leaders had greatly impacted their lives.
The young men and women also told Raila that they would return to the streets any time should the ODM Party Leader ask them to turn up for anti-government demonstrations.
"We are ready to return to the streets should bipartisan talks collapse. In fact, we can see the talks collapsing, as such, we have to defend our democracy," one of the youth told Raila.
In March 2023, Raila led anti-government demonstrations to protest against the high cost of living, electoral reforms and other issues. The demonstrations had initially been largely peaceful, but later became violent and led to the death of at least six people.
