The process by the Kenya Kwanza regime to deter former president Uhuru Kenyatta, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka from receiving their pension benefits is in motion after a signature collection drive was launched on Saturday, July 15.
Digital strategist Dennis Itumbi shared a link to the initiative, titled babatumechoka (we are tired), which invites Kenyans to append their signatures to deter the trio from continued engagement in mass action.
For one to participate in the initiative, they will be required to key in their details including their Identification Number, name, phone number, county, constituency and ward names.
Further, they are required to include their digital signature before proceeding to the final stage where the user gives authorisation to receive communication issuing the way forward.
The move is perceived as a counter to the Azimio la Umoja coalition's signature collection drive which seeks to culminate into a referendum to impeach President William Ruto.
Titled Tumechoka, Raila indicated that the digital platform will coincide with the physical signature collection to complement other measures that the opposition seeks to air their grievances.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader rallied his supporters to collect 15 million signatures to support the initiative of civil disobedience.
Further, the signature collection drive runs in tandem with Azimio's mass action aimed at protesting against the current administration.
In his clarion call for civil disobedience, Raila called for a three-day maandamano to be held every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday until the government cedes to their demands of lowering the cost of living and repealing the Finance Act, 2023.
The Kenya Kwanza regime has, however, not taken the plan kindly - with various political players pressuring the Treasury to reconsider the pension payment plans for the opposition bigwigs.
Some questioned Azimio's quest to oppose the payment of taxes from which they gain their annual pension.
They added that the ripple effect caused by Raila's call for the boycott of tax remissions would lead to Treasury either reducing or refraining from paying the pensions to the Azimio principals.
"Azimio leaders are opposed to payment of taxes. These are the millions they'll receive as pension out of those taxes that will be collected this year," he stated while listing the big beneficiaries," Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale stated on June 28, 2023.
According to the budget plan for the financial year 2023/24, Uhuru is expected to receive Ksh440 million, Raila (Ksh74.16 million) and Kalonzo (Ksh70.21 million).
