Azimio exits bipartisan talks, announces beginning of civil disobedience
Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga has announced that the outfit has exited bipartisan talks with Kenya Kwanza.
Speaking in a public rally in Kamkunji grounds on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, Raila announced July 7, popularly known as Saba Saba, as the date for anti-government protests and civil disobedience.
"Ruto is testing whether we still have the will, energy, and resolve to fight the re-emergence of dictatorship. After stealing our elections last year Ruto now thinks he can steal anything and get away with it. We have to stop Ruto and we have to do it now," Raila said.
"What happened this past week and yesterday is not just about the Finance Act, this is about the re-emergence of a dictatorship. We all know where Mr (William) Ruto and (Rigathi) Gachagua are coming from."
Azimio says the civil disobedience will entail a refusal to pay taxes in a bid to force President Ruto to repeal the Finance Act 2023.
"Having imposed on us the punitive taxation measures contained in the Finance Act 2023 in complete disregard of our views, we declare an end to the bipartisan talks to which we had sent our delegation in the hope that Kenya Kwanza could show interest in resolving pro-people issues including the rising cost of living. It is time for action," Raila added.
The opposition has also announced that it will embark on a mass signature collection to signal the withdrawal of its sovereignty from the government.
"We shall convene on 7th July-Saba Saba Day- 2023, here at Kamukunji at which event we will unveil a program for nation-wide civil disobedience to force the Kenya Kwanza regime to respect the people and repeal the Finance Act," he added.
