Raila Odinga and Azimio La Umoja has issued new demands that President William Ruto must implement or face dire opposition and mass politically rallies in the coming days that might end up crippling the economy.
The statement of demands as issued by ODM Party on behalf of Azimio reads as follows.
We, the people of Kenya, gathered here at the historic kamukunji grounds, and having consulted widely on diverse issues of national interest, hereby resolve as follows:
1. That we are convinced that we are witnessing the emergence of a most uncaring, uncharitable and cold hearted regime in the history of our country. We are witnessing a lack of empathy, a coldness and arrogance that are at odds with the times. Consequently, there is need for Ruto regime to be put under intense scrutiny and pressure by Kenyans and be forced to return to the people’s agenda, which the regime has discarded.
2. That the Ruto administration be pressured to institute measures to reduce cost of basic commodities particularly by restoring subsidies to unga, fuel, school fees and electricity beginning January 2023 failure to which Kenyans will be free to take such steps as they may deem fit to ease the burden of the yoke upon their shoulders.
3. In particular, the Ruto regime must restore the school fees subsidy that saw the ministry reduce fees in all secondary schools and special needs schools. Ruto needs to understand that while his fortunes may have changed for the better, for a majority of parents if not all, the economic situation has become worse or remained the same.
4. That the Ruto regime be made to immediately restore and enhance the subsidies in the area of social safety in the form of cash transfer to the elderly, pesa ya wazee and Linda Mama that covered maternal issues for economically disadvantaged mothers which have since been withdrawn.
5. That the Ruto regime be pressured and be made to institute discipline, order and clarity in its ranks so that Kenyans can have clarity on critical policy issues failure to which Kenyans will be at liberty to disobey the incoherent roadside declarations being issued by his incompetent officers.
6. That the Ruto regime be pressed to embrace the rule of law, and embark on an inclusive and consultative process of reconstituting the IEBC failure to which Kenyans will be free to resort to other measures that will enable them attain this goal.
7. That in strict adherence to the Constitution and the rule of law, Ruto be pressed to take steps to ensure that the composition of the civil service reflects the ethnic, regional, religious and gender diversity of our land and that it rewards competence and is free of tribalism, favouritism and nepotism and in compliance with the Integrity provisions of the constitution.
8. That the Kazi Mtaani project be immediately restored and be made available to those who find it useful while others pursue options like Ruto’s mjengo, which will only reach a few, if at all it does.
9. That Ruto be compelled to permanently discard any ideas and plans to bring GM crops and seeds to Kenya because of the grave danger they pose our health, environment and seeds. The administration must adhere to the rule of law and constitutional provisions on public participation and enactment of relevant legislation. We repeat that the only reason Africans have not starved to extinction is our indigenous seeds which any mother with a jembe and a piece of land can proceed to plant and replant season after season and get a little food for the night. If we were to wait for seeds from Europe and the Americas every season, we would be long gone.
10. That we decry the ongoing collapse of the criminal justice system that has seen the DPP drop cases of highly placed suspects while millions of poor Kenyans with petty offences continue to rot in jail and that the DPP be made to open the jails for everyone to walk home if the office is no longer interested in upholding the rule of law and protecting the criminal justice system.
11. That the Hustler Fund be constituted in line with the rule of law, correct legislation and without illegal threats to the youths who tap into it. The youth who have picked the funds must be encouraged not to panic or commit suicide in the event they default. Those who can’t pay won’t have to pay.
12. That these people’s dialogues shall continue in the coming days, weeks and months in different parts of the country in pursuit of a nation that cares for its citizens, respects the rule of law and honors the principles of inclusivity in line with our constitution.
Well, if President Ruto does not honor these demands, it only means one thing; the political rallies will continue in-order to pressure and force him into collective dialogue.
Let’s wait and see what will happen between now and the next election.
Source: ODM Party
