Raila Odinga Threatens to Resume Weekly Demonstrations

Azimio la Umoja One-Kenya leader Raila Odinga has threatened to resume the coalition’s weekly demonstrations if the bipartisan committee tasked with resolving the electoral impasse does not reach an agreement within the next two weeks.

Odinga made the remarks at the Jubilee Party’s National Delegates Conference at Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi on Monday, May 22, 2023.

“We have given the bipartisan committee two weeks to reach an agreement. If they fail to do so, we will resume our weekly demonstrations,” Odinga said.

The demonstrations were launched by Azimio la Umoja One-Kenya in January 2023 to pressure the government to address the electoral impasse. The demonstrations have been met with mixed reactions, with some Kenyans supporting them and others opposing them.

The bipartisan committee is made up of representatives from the government, the opposition, and civil society organizations. The committee was formed in March 2023 to find a solution to the electoral impasse.

The committee has held several meetings, but it has not yet reached an agreement. The committee is expected to meet again in the coming days.

Odinga’s threat to resume the demonstrations comes as the country prepares for the general elections in August 2023. The elections are expected to be closely contested, and there are concerns that the electoral process could be marred by irregularities.

The government has said that it is committed to ensuring that the elections are free, fair, and credible. However, the opposition has expressed doubts about the government’s commitment.

The electoral impasse is a major challenge facing Kenya ahead of the general elections. The impasse has the potential to destabilize the country and undermine the democratic process.

It is important for the government and the opposition to work together to find a solution to the impasse. The future of Kenya depends on it.