North Rift leaders condemn Azimio protests
A section of North Rift leaders led by Uasin Gishu senator Jackson Mandago has condemned the demonstrations organized on March 20, 2023, by Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
This comes even as Uasin Gishu, Nandi, and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties witness calm as most locals went on their daily hustle undeterred.
The leaders who addressed the press also urged Kenyans to keep off the demos.
“I want to tell Kenyans not to take part in demos. We want to encourage Kenyans especially young Kenyans that don’t allow to be used because most of them don’t have NHIF (insurance cover),” said the senator.
Mr Mandago also demanded the Ministry of Agriculture to return back the strategic food reserve to cushion Kenyans against high cost of living
“They cannot now tell us about food shortages yet we know the last regime did away with the strategic grain reserve. We want to urge, the agriculture ministry must restore the strategic grain reserve,” said Mr Mandago.
“We should not forget that auditor general report showed that a lot of monies were lost, days before the last elections,” he said.
He said Mr Odinga should give time to the Kenya Kwanza administration to reduce the high cost of living.
Senator Mandago was accompanied by MPs Julius Rutto (Kesses), David Kiplagat (Soy), Janet Sitienei (Turbo) and Mosop’s Abraham Kirwa.
Ms Sitienei also condemned the demonstrations, saying the Kenya Kwanza administration will not be hoodwinked.
“Recently, he was part of the government through the handshake with former president Uhuru Kenyatta. He was there but he did not condemn. He should not hoodwink us,” said the lawmaker.
She said the protests will hurt children and women who are involved in running businesses to eke a living.
“What we need is peace, we now understand some schools have not reopened because of this situation, which we want to condemn,
“It is only six months now since the current administration took office. You cannot issue demands now because it is just six months..let them give us three years,” said the lawmaker.
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