Saba Saba Showdown: Azimio Launches Anti-Ruto Demos at Kamukunji Today
Raila Odinga, the leader of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya, will launch a new wave of anti-government protests today, Friday, with the beginning of a mass signature collection to signify the withdrawal of Kenya’s sovereignty from President William Ruto and all members of his government.
There may be a confrontation between opposition leaders, their supporters, and the police at today’s rallies in Nairobi and other selected cities, which mark the official beginning of civil disobedience against the government.
On July 7, 1990, 33 years ago, the Saba Saba (7th of July) Movement was founded.
The organization was founded to combat the dictatorship of a single party. In the end, it compelled then-President Daniel Arap Moi to announce the repeal of Section 2A of the Constitution at a ruling party delegates’ conference in December 1991, returning Kenya to a multiparty state after more than two decades.
In Nairobi, where Mr. Odinga is expected to speak at a rally and launch the signature drive at the historic Kamukunji grounds, the police issued a warning against demonstrations on Thursday, stating that only a public baraza would be permitted at the venue.
Adamson Bungei, the head of the Nairobi Regional Police, warned that security authorities would not permit any illegal gatherings in the region other than the Kamukunji event.
Mr. Bungei told GossipA2Z, “I can confirm that Azimio followed proper procedure in convening the meeting at Kamukunji grounds, and we wish to inform the public that they have applied for a baraza meeting and not a demonstration as people are talking.”
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He continued, “We have only sanctioned the Kamukunji gathering, and we will not permit any other gatherings.” It will be a working day, and we will provide security at the baraza in Kamukunji, so there is no cause for alarm.”
GossipA2Z has determined that opposition leaders have a sophisticated plan to make the Saba Saba event a success in their respective constituencies, with plans to expand the program to other regions of the country.
Insiders with knowledge of the plans told GossipA2Z that the coalition’s top leadership led by Mr. Odinga, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Narc Kenya’s Martha Karua, DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni, George Wajackoya, and former Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria held a meeting on Thursday where they agreed on the towns to mark the first phase of the anti-government protests.
In central Kenya and parts of the Rift Valley region, Jubilee and Narc Kenya will lead activities in Nakuru, Thika, Kirinyaga, and Laikipia, according to a coalition official.
He disclosed that the ODM party will also coordinate activities in Kakamega, Vihiga, and Busia in the West.
In addition to Mombasa, ODM will also lead activities in Narok, Kisumu, Kisii, Siaya, and Migori. The plan is to implement the national rollout in phases, but more regions want to be part of the first phase, so more regions could join tomorrow (today),” a coalition insider told GossipA2Z.
He noted that members of Congress have been asked to return to their home districts to spearhead the activities at the local level. “Elsewhere, leaders associated with Azimio, Mr. Kioni, and Ms. Karua will assume control, but certain (principals) have been asked to remain in Nairobi for the national Kamukunji event,” a source explained.
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Mr. Odinga stated that as a result of President Ruto’s actions against Kenyans, they would now take drastic action against his regime.
“Ruto is imposing taxes on us without our consent and passing laws that make life more difficult overall.” Mr. Odinga charged that the taxation situation in the country and the associated injustices could no longer be tolerated.
Today, the opposition is expected to announce a nationwide program of civil disobedience to force the Ruto regime to respect the people and repeal the Finance Act, the implementation of which has since been ruled unconstitutional.
Mr. Odinga asserts that the President has become a “heartless tyrant,” which explains the recent increase in anti-government activity. “This third liberation will be launched not only in Kamukunji in Nairobi but also in Kamukunji throughout the country,” he said.
Mr. Odinga has charged the President with betraying Kenyans by signing into law the Finance Bill.
“We are claiming our independence. Civil disobedience begins with individual acts. On his return from Poland on 27 July, Mr. Odinga stated, “We will continue gradually, discreetly, and publicly, culminating in the official launch of massive nationwide demonstrations.”
He continued, “We are launching a campaign of defiance and civil disobedience that will take different forms at different times, including the refusal to pay taxes, to compel Mr. William Ruto to respect the people and repeal the Finance Act 2023.”
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Azimio has enlisted the aid of civil society activists to liberate Kenya from the “despotic Kenya Kwanza administration,” as he describes it.
Mr. Odinga is enthusiastic about refusing to pay government taxes to force the repeal of the Finance Act.
He called for a tax boycott to deny the government’s fuel tax by limiting gasoline and diesel consumption.
In addition, he wants all employers to give their employees time to walk to work, and he wants matatu owners to support the tax boycott by doubling their carrying capacity while maintaining safety as part of the civil disobedience.
For Kenyans to commute, he also wants the police to support the calls by allowing matatus to carry more passengers than their capacity at the current price.
The leader of the ODM has also urged businesses to disable or circumvent electronic tax registers, not to declare VAT, and instead offer customer discounts, claiming that “we will recover the VAT Ruto is illegally taking through fuel”
Mr. Odinga has also urged employers to disregard the punitive deductions from workers’ wages, which he claims will only enrich the President and his “cronies.”
“We recognize the individuals who imposed this unjust law upon us. Reprimand the traitors. Let us identify, shame, pursue, and isolate traitors at every opportunity.”
“Let us picket their private and public offices and homes until they join the call for the repeal of the Finance Bill.”
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The former prime minister also wants prominent Kenyans on Twitter, the content creators, and the tiktokers, to collect and share information about the alleged traitors, including their Twitter and other social media accounts, phone numbers, and email addresses, and “use these to show the oppressors that power belongs to us, the people.”
He has also urged musicians to create songs and music that will be “a source of pain for the traitors.”
“Let our music carry our disappointments and support the fight against Ruto and his contempt for us until Ruto learns to respect the people,” Mr. Odinga continued.
George Aladwa, chairman of the ODM in Nairobi County, led opposition lawmakers on an inspection tour of Kamukunji grounds on Thursday, before today’s Saba Saba rally.
Mr. Aladwa, who was accompanied by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Mathare MP Anthony Oluoch, and a large number of Azimio MCAs, stated that Mr. Odinga will speak at today’s rally before the grand march to the CBD begins.
Mr. Aladwa stated, “Everything is now ready and we are awaiting our leader Raila Odinga’s speech at the rally tomorrow (today) before we begin our peaceful protests.” However, Mr. Bungei’s statement that only the rally had been approved could lead to a conflict with the police.
Saba Saba Showdown: Azimio Launches Anti-Ruto Demos at Kamukunji Today
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