Experts Warn of 5 Risks for Ruto as Uhuru Joins Raila Protests
President William Ruto will face several challenges including tackling difficult tasks if former President Uhuru Kenyatta decides to participate in Azimio protests scheduled to take place beginning Tuesday, May 2.
Speaking to GossippA2Z on Monday, May 1, political analyst Duncan Okatch and Governance expert Ben Mulwa explained that Ruto ought to be worried about Uhuru’s next move regarding the Azimio-led protests, especially because of the repercussions.
They highlighted that both the government and the opposition had a part to play in ensuring that the picketing process remained peaceful because it was the constitutional right of the Azimio Coalition and its supporters.
Protests Will Gain More Significance
Both Okatch and Mulwa noted that if Uhuru joins forces with Raila, the protests will become a historical event marking the first time an immediate former President joined a picketing group within months of leaving the country’s top job.
“It will bolster the status of the maandamano (protests) and that will be historic because it will not just be about Raila. It will be noted that an immediate former president supported the protests,” Okatch stated explaining that the nationwide outlook of the events will be boosted.
From left: President William Ruto, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during the launch of the BBI report on October 26, 2022.
Ensuring Security for Uhuru
Further, Okatch noted that if Uhuru was to join the protests, Ruto will have the difficult task of ensuring that the police officers handled the former Head of State with respect.
In the past, he stated that there were several reported cases of police brutality during the protests and that would pause a new challenge to the government on how to handle the situation.
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“He was the commander-in-chief of the Defence Forces and there is that respect that is given. Even how the police handle such a person matters a lot.
“The government must think of how to tackle where the former President will be during the protests,” Okatch stated.
Government Losing Grip of Situation
Further, he noted that Uhuru joining the protests would dispel a message that the government had lost grip of the situation and could no longer handle the opposition, especially after announcing that they had banned the protests.
“The moment it is banned, it is the first step of making it known that it will not be peaceful especially when the police try to stop the demonstrators. It will also show that the government is losing its grip,” he added.
More People Will Join Protests
In addition, the move would cause the protest to gain more traction. And cause people to pay more attention to the issues that are being raised by the Azimio coalition.
“More and more people will want to associate with the protests. Gradually they will convert more and more people and eventually use that to perpetuate their political agenda,” he added.
Negative Impact on the Economy
According to political experts, the negative impact of the economy would also be a concern. That Ruto would have to address because the continuation of protests would mean that people will not have productive work days.
On the flip side, they noted that if the former President was to join the protests, he would affirm differences between himself and Ruto.
It may be confirmation that he was involved in the protests from the beginning.
“It would be very significant in demonstrating the severity of the differences the former President may have with the current president,” Mulwa stated
Effects on Raila and Team
Okatch noted that it would also be an opportunity for the government. And those who are against Azimio to fault Uhuru for the high cost of living. And some of the problems faced by the country because some of them began while he was in power.
“Uhuru was the President and the cost of living started rising during the period. And people could argue that he did not provide solutions then.
“People will say that he should not take sides and will use it as an excuse to taint his name. As a former President even though the constitution still accords him rights like any other citizen,” he stated.
Azimio principals on Sunday, April 30. Announced that they will march to the Office of the President. The National Treasury. The Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), and the Public Service Commission (PSC) on Tuesday, May 2, to present their grievances.
Experts Warn of 5 Risks for Ruto as Uhuru Joins Raila Protests
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