Senator Ledama and Malala Clash as Azimio Demos Ignite Exhausted Nation
Senator Ledama Ole Kina of Narok County and UDA Party Secretary General Cleophas Malala have divergent views on the post-Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition protests.
The two leaders disagreed on how the police handled the rioters and how the riots could have been prevented, citing the violent disturbances that occurred across the country in which nine people were killed and numerous others were severely injured.
Senator Ledama criticized the government on Citizen TV’s JKLive Show on Wednesday night for using excessive force against “unarmed” civilians who, according to him, were acting within their Constitutional rights by fighting for a reduction in the cost of living.
Ledama accused the state of hiring thugs to destroy property and blamed the police for the deaths, contending that no violence would have occurred if the police had not provoked the citizens.
“Nine Kenyans were murdered by UDA thugs posing as police officers, and we know that Kenyan police officers are honorable individuals, but there are thugs,” he said.
“We observed Ruto and Gachagua conveying a warning that they would use any legal means… Kenyans are exhausted, which is why they took to the streets to demonstrate peacefully, only to be provoked by the regime’s hired thugs.”
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The Senator distanced the Opposition and Azimio Chief Raila Odinga from blame for the protests, stating that Odinga was not involved in the demonstrations and that Kenyans protested because they were tired of the regime led by President William Ruto.
He referred to the maandamano that occurred in more than five major cities and counties to demonstrate that protestors were not to blame because they were willing to pay the price for a change in government.
“Every Kenyan should be alarmed by the stance adopted by this administration. This no longer pertains to Azimio; Raila did not take to the streets today…A ravenous lion cannot be confined, as it will attempt to escape and defend itself. He explained that people are exhausted, famished, and desperate.
Malala refuted Ledama’s sentiments as he criticized the Azimio leadership and its supporters for Wednesday’s massive devastation of property and loss of life.
According to Malala, Azimio’s demonstrations served only to increase the cost of living, as the destruction of property necessitated additional resources to reconstruct.
“The constitution stipulated that we would have an opposition and a government, but that does not justify violence or the loss of life,” he stated.
“After today’s protest, has the cost of living decreased? The same individuals who are attempting to sabotage our economy are responsible for the rising cost of living.”
At the same time, the former Malala urged Ledama and the Azimio team to consider alternative approaches to resolving the problems affecting citizens, such as by-partisan discussions.
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In his response, Ledama sneered at the UDA Secretary General’s reiteration that the ruling party had consistently obstructed the negotiations and was now angering Kenyans with unfulfilled promises by implementing the Finance Act.
“You increase fuel tax, the court says suspend that Act, but you believe you are above the law, so you continue to implement it, and everything rises,” he said.
The dysfunctional governance is what makes Kenyans weary. It has failed to clarify the distinction between private good, public good, and merit good. Housing is a private good; who told you that a private good should be interfered with? If a bird can establish its own home, do you believe Kenyans are incapable of doing so?”
Senator Ledama and Malala Clash as Azimio Demos Ignite Exhausted Nation
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