Raila reveals who finances Azimio rallies, demonstrations

Michael Majanga for Tv47 Digital March 19, 2023, 07:17 AM

Azimio demonstrations and rallies — Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga addresses a rally in Nakuru on March 16, 2023. Raila says he's organising anti-government demos to protest high cost of living and electoral justice. PHOTO/ RAILA ODINGA-FACEBOOK

In Summary

Kenya Kwanza Alliance leaders are accusing former President Uhuru Kenyatta of using Raila Odinga as a gun for hire to carry out demonstrations against President William Ruto's government.

They now want Uhuru to declare his stance on the anti-government protests organised by the opposition coalition.

Azimio La Umoja One Kenya leader Raila Odinga has dismissed allegations that former President Uhuru Kenyatta is funding the ongoing opposition coalition rallies and the forthcoming mass action against the government.

This comes after Kenya Kwanza leaders claimed that Uhuru is using Raila as a gun for hire to carry out demonstrations against President William Ruto's government while hiding behind the scenes.

The leaders have gone on to dare Uhuru to declare his stance on the anti-government protests organised by the opposition coalition.

"You are the principal sponsor of the demonstrations being orchestrated by Raila Odinga. Raila Odinga is a mercenary for hire, hired by Uhuru Kenyatta," National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah said on Saturday, March 18.

"Our former President Uhuru Kenyatta, come out and tell us your position on this maandamano," Naivasha MP Jane Kihara added.

Sponsored by wananchi

But in an exclusive interview with TV47, Raila said that nothing could be further from the truth.

"Maandamano haya ni ya wananchi, wananchi wenyewe ndiyo wana fund maandamano haya. Hakuna mtu ambaye ana pesa kiasi hicho. Sisi tunachanga chochote ambacho mtu yuko nayo anatoa kwa hiari yake. Sisi siyo wale matajiri ambao wana mabilioni wanaweza kutoa hapa na pale, sisi ni movement ya wananchi," Raila said, when asked by TV47's Elizabeth Mutuku about who funds Azimio's current rallies and planned protests.

According to Raila, the demonstrations and protests against the government have been called by the people who feel the heat of high cost of living and electoral injustices over the years.

"Maandamano haya ni ya kushinikiza serikali ipunguze gharama ya maisha, warudishe zile subsidies ambazo Uhuru alikuwa ameweka ili kusaidia mwananchi bei ya unga, mafuta taa, gesi, stima, na karo ya shule zirudi chini. Wanafaa pia kufungua server za IEBC ili zikaguliwe na wataalamu kutoka nje, siyo watu wao ama wetu. Wakague wajue matokea ilikuwa namna gani," he added.