Kenya: Ministry of Interior and National Administration – Press Release (19.07.2023)

Kenya: Ministry of Interior and National Administration – Press Release (18.07.2023)

Kenya: Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition – Statement on the Intention to Create Division and Discord among Mt Kenya Leaders and Residents (17.07.2023)

Opinion: Ruto just gave Odinga the ammunition…

Government has withdrawn the security detail for Raila Odinga, Martha Karua and Kalonzo Musyoka ahead of the week-long planned demonstrations. Others whose security has been withdrawn are governors Gladys Wanga, Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, James Orengo, Ochilo Ayako & 50 Azimio MPs” (Tuko.co.ke, 17.07.2023).

Reports indicate that the government has withdrawn security detail attached to Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga. It is reported that Raila’s security – of more than 10 police officers – that protect him as well as those guarding his homes in Nairobi, Kisumu and Siaya have been recalled. Also, Azimio co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka’s security detail has also been withdrawn ahead of the opposition’s planned anti-government protests starting Wednesday this week. This comes even as the opposition coalition remains relentless with its anti-government protests, despite warnings from Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki and other government officials” (TV47, 17.07.2023).

Sometimes it doesn’t matter what you do. If you do or if you don’t… no matter what it’s just a haywire. The same can be said for President William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza government. It has a challenger in Raila Odinga and his Azimio. They are relentless and on the front-lines.

What is striking is that Kenya Kwanza government officials have forgotten or seems to think these sorts of things stops Odinga. He thrives in chaos, demonstrations, looting and outright dissent in the streets. That’s where he belongs and where he thrives. He earns political currency and with the creation of instability. Odinga sooner or later forces the hand of the government. That’s why he does this and he has naive followers believing he will save them. People who has never been saved by him every time he has sought a deal or a handshake with a government in question. Therefore, it is amazing that people buy into his maverick means in 2023.

Odinga knows all of this. With the loss of the security detail for him and his lieutenants is nothing new. Similar acts happen to him with CORD and NASA. He is just pushing the same OKOA vibes with a little sprinkle of cost of living. It is all bound to be a stalemate and way for Odinga to get a settlement. While the public who fought for it will not see any returns. It is just jobs for the boys and another pay-check for the mighty.

Ruto know all of this. He has seen it before and the same has other Kenyans too. They are just getting violated by Odinga who uses the citizens who dissent as pawns in his game. These people are just foot-soldiers who can risk it all. Just so Odinga can get a handshake or a fancy “un-official and un-elected” role in government. That’s what he does and he is just anticipating the next move. He could easily betray the whole Azimio and take a bargain himself, and no one should bat an eye at that.

Ruto and his allies should know better. The rhetoric and the stances are only putting more wood on the fire. They are only endangering people more. It is making it risky and adding the stakes. Without considerations of the implications or the possible costs of doing so. It can only damage and cause more pain. A pain and suffering, which is coincidently what Odinga needs to pursuit his mission. A mission that has a price, but not his… and we all know it by now.

This here will not do anyone any good and will only create more possible chaos. There will be no winners here and only a lot of losers. A lot of losses and little to nothing gained. Just more hurt and little to no remedy. Peace.

Kenya: Permanent Mission of the Republic Kenya at the United Nations and Other International Organisations – Geneva – Switzerland – Letter to the OHCHR (16.07.2023)

Kenya: Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition – Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga – Those Killed and Arrested by Ruto are Martyrs and Political Prisoners (15.07.2023)

Kenya: Ministry of Interior and National Administration – Day of Shame, Violence and Impunity (12.07.2023)

Kenya: National Police Service – Office of the Inspector General – Intended Public Demonstrations on Wednesday July 12, 2023 (11.07.2023) (11.07.2023)

Kenya: Social Justice Movement – We demand the unconditional release of the illegaly detained Saba Saba March for ourlives peaceful protestors (09.07.2023)

Kenya: Civic Freedom Forum (CFF) – Press Release (07.07.2023)