Kenya: Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) – A Call to Respect and Protect the Freedom of Assembly and Association (21.03.2023)

Kenya: Office of the Inspector General – Violence against National Police Service Officers by Supporters of Azimio-One Kenya Alliance Demonstrators (21.03.2023)

Kenya: CRE-CO, KHRC and Muhuri – Joint Press Release – Adding salt to injury? Repressive Response by Police to Kenyans facing economic hardships (20.03.2023)

Kenya: Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD) – Dialogue Must Prevail and Greater Responsibility Falls on President Ruto (20.03.2023)

Kenya: Mombasa County Government – Office of the Governor – Statement on the Illegal Detainment of Kenyans during Peaceful Protests – The Bill of Rights must be Upheld and Protected by the Kenya Kwanza Administration (20.03.2023)

Opinion: Odinga is now testing Ruto…

Today is the start of the #Maandamano demonstrations of Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Alliance. Azimio and Raila Odinga has called for the supporters to go to the streets and be vigilant. In such regard, that he called today, the 20th March a public holiday. A lot businesses ceased to operate and closed before the day started. Certainly, there will ripple effects of the demonstrations committed in the name of Odinga.

Alas, Odinga has done this all before. Yet, again we are seeing and hearing of innocent citizens dying as a part of the protests. There are also looting, destruction of public property and targeted offices, which has been destroyed completely. That’s is circumventing the rights to assemble and the rights to protest.

However, Ruto and the authorities are wrong by issuing tear-gas, violently and brutally arrest civilians. The extra judicial killings of today isn’t what should happen. The citizens shouldn’t fear for their lives, while crying out their grievances. That is just a mere fact and Ruto cannot run away from that.

Nevertheless, Odinga and Azimio is testing the Kenya Kwanza Government. The Azimio leadership and the means of civil disobedience is obvious. Odinga has used these means before and it isn’t anything new. Odinga has been busy protesting, swallowing tear-gas and accepting the plights of the common man. This trope is part of the fabric of who Odinga is…

That’s why Odinga should decide if the demos are about the “cost of living” or toppling Ruto. Because, the messaging from Azimio camp seems torn between the two. You cannot fight for the cost of living and expect the man who you want to get rid of to help you with that. Ruto either has to stagnate inflation and the rising prices or he has to step down. You cannot expect that the President and his government will do both. That’s just foolish and naive.

Secondly, Odinga will have more issues to deal with. We know he wants electoral reforms and more control of any sort action happening to the IEBC. That’s just what he does and he did the same with the OKOA demos too. So, we have seen this all happening before… Odinga has fought this same sort of battles for decades and his supporters has paid the price for him. Which is happening today too…

Odinga and Azimio has choices to make. They cannot fight every battle, every Monday and expect KKA government to listen. Why should Ruto listen, if they are wanting his head? Who would like to get dethroned, when they have just been in office for a year or so. Seriously, he finally became the His Excellency and Odinga expects Ruto to give it up… you must be delusional. The only thing Odinga can achieve is a handshake and a honorary title. That is what he accepted by the predecessor Kenyatta. So, why not do the same now? He did it surprisingly before and why not repeat it again?

Especially, when Azimio cannot decide what is the goal or the ambition of the demos. They should have figured it out. Nevertheless, the more causes, the merry, I suppose. Odinga and his allies should consider the way ahead. The hubris and the adrenaline is fine while it is pumping. However, the moment that disappear the weakness and fatigue will settle in.

Ruto has the authorities and the machinery on his side. Just like Kenyatta did during the two previous terms. So, it is not like Odinga has an advantage. No, his is in the same pickle and on the same streets as before. Begging for a bigger role and an prestigeous office. Peace.

Kenya: County Government of Kisumu – Office of the Governor – Press Statement on Hooliganism during Kisumu Demonstrations (20.03.2023)

Kenya: Ministry of Interior and National Administration – Statement on Exercise of the Rights under Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya (19.03.2023)

Opinion: Is Odinga’s old statements backfiring in 2023?

“The language they are using is of blackmail, threats and intimidation which is the language of cowards and paper tigers. They have no agenda or anything to tell the people nor do they have any solutions to problems afflicting the country. Kenyans know what is ailing the nation and are tired of repetitions. What they are interested in is a solution to the problems not chest-thumping counter-revolutionaries” – Raila Odinga (November 2000).

Time is a wasting and when you have been in the public spotlight forever. There is choices, words and narratives spoken out about you. Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga should know this very well. He has accepted this and has had his personal handshake in the previous Parliament. That’s why he built a legacy around the failure of a constitutional reform called the “Building Bridges to National Unity” or the BBI.

Now after another election loss. His trying to forge himself in again. This is just postering and hoping the naïve is buying the message. The man who speaks of making it a “national holiday” and a public “uprising” on the 20th March 2023. Is really pushing the boundaries.

Because, he himself spoke ill of James Orengo when he made the same efforts and tried to demonstrate against President Moi in 2000. He spoke ill of his plans and how he was undermining the government back then.

Now in 2023 Odinga is practically doing the same and for the same reasons as Orengo. Has Orengo become vindicated or his gubernatorial role enough perks. The former senator and lawyer who has been smart over all these years.

Odinga is just marching on. Like none of the other one ever happened. Odinga called Orengo back then a “bankrupt and a self seeker with no agenda for the country”. The same can be used against himself now.

He is using the same means as before. There is nothing new under the sun. Odinga is posturing and playing the same sort of political game. He had no trouble to trade off his popularity and his significance to Kenyatta. However, his trying to force himself above Ruto now. I wonder if he will ever succeed doing so. Since, Ruto was Kenyatta’s deputy and was in-office when Odinga tried his previous campaigns too.

We have seen how the ODM leader and CORD/NASA/Azimio Presidential Candidate has pushed his case forward. No one should be surprised by this in 2023. He has asked for reforms, changes and blamed the elites all these years. While always tried to get a bargain and a honourable position in government. He don’t mind being an unofficial Prime Minister or be ceremonial ally of His Excellency. Therefore, we know the drill and the 20th March will be no different.

He should listen to his own words from the 2000. These words he used against now ally and governor Orengo. Maybe he should even consider them about his own mission. Since he lost in the election and in the courts. There is no legal avenue for him. This is only causing a stir and doing so personal benefits. He just seeking to get perks and validation.

Odinga just needs to push and hope other sacrifice themselves for his own personal gain. That’s the gist of it now. Because, he has signed off to Presidents before and gotten a token of respect doing so. If Odinga can get the right bargain by Ruto. I expect him to fold again. Don’t be surprised if that happens.

Odinga have signed off agreements to worse gentlemen than Ruto. Peace.

Kenya: Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Alliance – Where is the bottom Bwana Ruto (08.03.2023)