Leader of Azimio la Umoja Raila Odinga claims that overtaxation and corruption are undermining local enterprises and that the government does not have the best interests of Kenyans at heart.
Raila claimed that the Kenya Kwanza government was mired in corruption and that things were growing worse in an interview with The Standard and KTN on Wednesday.
“The government is not keen on fighting corruption because it is a product of it. They have institutionalised corruption,” he said.
He further claimed that some government officials, including one in Karen, had bought prime real estate within a year after taking office.
The administration, Raila maintained, has ignored the poor and is now overtaxing the same people while those in authority are making money, despite Kenya Kwanza’s campaign slogan of bottom-up policies.
“Taxes have increased. Medical deductions are increasing. They are improving the image of the former Uhuru administration, he continued, adding that Kenyans had been treated unfairly.
“We initially said the donkey was exhausted; now we say it has collapsed.” He added.
He commended Uhuru for protecting Kenyans from the exorbitant costs of fuel and other necessities.
“They used the handshake to attack me by claiming I was a member of the government. They are currently doing worse. If they want to use it well and good, we have given it to them,” he remarked.
The opposition leader claimed he purposefully avoided commenting on many of these topics to give the National Dialogue Committee (NDC) time to find the best answer to the problems the nation is currently facing.
Since he and President William Ruto co-mediated the negotiations, Raila said that any remarks from his end could jeopardize the process.
The negotiations at the Bomas of Kenya are being co-chaired by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who represents the opposition, and Kimani Ichungw’ah, who is the majority leader of the National Assembly.
The opposition leader has been absent from the scene for more than a month, instead participating in low-key events across the nation.
He reaffirmed that Azimio will appreciate a long-lasting solution but issued a warning that they may contemplate returning to the streets if no progress is made in the discourse that resulted from their private meeting in a Mombasa mansion.
By Newshub