‘I will not remain silent in 2024’ – Raila promises to keep Ruto in check
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance leader Raila Odinga has vowed to remain steadfast in keeping the government in check come 2024.
"I will not remain silent in 2024 when Kenyans struggle to give taxes to a regime who are concerned on fulfilling selfish interests," Raila said while speaking on Saturday at Wich Lum beach in Siaya county where he attended a boat racing competition.
"I decided to allow bi-partisan talks to be completed and embraced recommendations to salvage Kenyans but still high cost of living is still a problem to our people. Kenyans started this year with lots of hope for the Ruto administration but things have turned out differently to their expectations," he added.
Raila further faulted Ruto's administration for failing to cushion Kenyans against economic hardships.
"Only two days remain and we get to the next year. We are not going to be silent when we touch that year. Burdened Kenyans cannot suffer under the leadership of President William Ruto who swore to relieve them from economic distress. I will blow the whistle and expect Kenyans who are fed up with the regime to join the mother of demonstrations to register their dissatisfaction with the Ruto-led administration," the Azimio leader said.
"We are in a country run by a clueless leader. He was quick to grab power and he has been overwhelmed by the huge shield hence not able to fight for Kenyans," he added.
The Azimio leader additionally poked holes into Ruto's campaign pledges, claiming that he gave enticing promises to mislead Kenyans into voting for him.
"It is so sad, that the hustler narrative he used in campaigns has turned out to be a ladder that was used by Ruto to get to power. The mama mboga and Jua-kali artisans that were the platform that Ruto used have been ignored and taxes imposed on them," Raila said.
The former premier disclosed that persons who are key in running the country's economy had approached him to put pressure on the government to go slow on taxes.
"Next year, will demand the scrapping of the the tax law that has punished Kenyans. I had loosened the political grip but as from next year, I will tighten it as a way of fighting for the poor Kenyans," he said.
Raila additionally called on the youths to register en masse as members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
"We expect Kenyans to register in big numbers as ODM members. If the young resister in large numbers, the party will be strengthened enough to help tackle challenges that have engulfed this country. I launched ODM registration here in Siaya but still, it's doing poorly in terms of registration. Reports indicate that Siaya is fourth and yet it's my territory. ODM party is the weapon, shield, arrows and spear that would help fight the many enemies that have engulfed this country," Raila said.
Siaya governor James Orengo, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo and Siaya Deputy Speaker Andercus Odongo, who accompanied Raila, vowed to suppress initiatives aimed at undermining the strength of the ODM leader in Nyanza
Orengo said he was committed to supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening the ODM party in the region.
On development, Orengo said his government is working on initiatives that would see a cooling plant established at Wich Lum ahead of the World Fisheries celebrations.
Orengo said Wich Lum was key because it contributes lots of revenues to the county through fishing.
"We have programs of installing floodlights at Wich Lum centre so that trade goes till late. Issues of water will be sorted out. We are aware that Wich Lum is a beach but its waters are not clean and we have plans of providing clean drinking water in the area," Orengo said.
