ODM MP rejects demos, urges Ruto, Raila to talk

Lagdera MP Abdikadir Hussein is calling for sobriety, an end to violent protests and the start of dialogue between President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga.

The demonstrations called by the opposition to demonstrate the high cost of living have claimed the lives of at least 17 people, with three more days of protest lined up this week.

Speaking in his constituency on Saturday after rallies in Maalimin and Afweyne, Hussein called for a diplomatic solution.

“It is true there are deep issues the government of the day needs to address. From the cost of living to the grinding poverty, Kenyans are going through very tough times,” he said.

“But when you resort to carrying out demonstrations that end up being violent, destructive and in worst case scenarios, people lose their lives like we have witnessed, then this should worry all of us.”

Hussein said while he is an ODM MP, he is not in support of his party’s plan to continue with the demonstrations, saying they are only serving to make the situation worse.

While the issues being advanced by the opposition are genuine, the manner in which they are raising them is not doing the county any good, he said.

The first-term MP said a solution lies in leaders from both sides of the political divide having an honest conversation with a view to finding a lasting solution.

He later held a meeting in Modogashe town.

The government has issued a stern warning to the opposition, banning all demonstrations across the country.

The Azimio side has, however, maintained that this week’s demonstrations, which will be carried out for three consecutive days from Wednesday, are on.

On Saturday, Kenya Kwanza leaders rejected a truce between the two leaders during a Parliamentary Group meeting held at State House and chaired by President Ruto.

They said the previous handshake in 2018 between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and the ODM leader ruined the former ruling party and the economy.

On Saturday, Raila said the country is in the throes of a liberation struggle.

In a statement to newsrooms, he said Kenyans are struggling to be liberated from “politics of deceit, corruption, dictatorship and arrogance”. 

“Kenyans have never lost a liberation struggle. We get beaten, arrested and killed, but we never lose,” he said.

“In the past, we have suffered detention without trial, police brutality and even a totally compliant judiciary and still, we did not lose. We shall not lose the one currently underway.”

On Friday, NCIC said the challenges the country is experiencing are unlikely to be solved by shouting matches between government and opposition supporters.

In a statement, it called for the leaders to instead hold a dialogue.    BY THE STAR