Raila faults foreign powers silence amid Kenyan crisis
The Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Mr Raila Odinga has expressed his displeasure with the little attention the international community has given to the ongoing demonstrations in the country.
In a press address in Nairobi on March 28, 2023, a day after the second day of leading anti-government countrywide protests, Mr Odinga claimed the foreign nations are dining with the government of President William Ruto at the expense of Kenyans allegedly being killed by the police.
“We want to condemn our friends from the international community. The foreign nations have been silent, most of them are in bed with Mr Ruto and Mr Gachagua,” Mr Odinga said.
He said that the foreign nations have not given any comment on the deaths and chaos that have marred the Azimio demonstrations for the second day.
“It’s a big shame. We would like our friends from the international community to take part in this issue.”
Mr Odinga has reiterated that they will not lower their expectations on the demands that the administration of Kenya Kwanza must address.
“Our issues are three, first, we want the cost of living to be reduced, we want the IEBC server to be opened for us to do our observation, and last, we want the four IEBC officials who were dismissed to be reinstated to their positions.”
His comments come barely an hour after the African Union Commission Chairperson Mr Moussa Faki expressed his deep concern following the ongoing violence in some parts of the country.
Mr Faki has urged all stakeholders to exercise calm and engage in dialogue to address any differences that may exist in the supreme interest of national unity and reconciliation.
“In this regard, the Chairperson wishes to recall the successful conduct of General Elections in August 2022 in Kenya and the subsequent unanimous confirmation of the election outcome by the Supreme Court,” part of the statement reads.
He also said that the demonstrations that started on March 20th have resulted in the loss of life, property damage, and the interruption of certain economic activities in the capital, Nairobi.
The Chairperson also reiterated the total solidarity with and support to the government of President William Ruto and the Kenyans’ efforts working towards national unity, peace and stability in the country.
Incidentally, Mr Odinga’s sentiments against the foreign nations come at a time President Ruto is on a tour of Belgium and Germany.
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