Opposition Leader Raila Odinga’s move to call for rallies and meetings in the capital has sparked mixed reactions among Kenyans, with former presidential candidate Dr Ekuru Aukot among those who have reacted over the move.
In a statement, Azimio la Umoja has announced the return of their rallies dubbed “People’s Public Barazas”, which used to happen a few weeks ago before they graduated to street demonstrations and anti-government protests.
The opposition party called off the demos after President William Ruto invited them for bipartisan talks
Ahead of the bipartisan tasks, Azimio has unveiled their next move, which is holding hall meetings and barazas.
Dr Ekuru Aukot is among Kenyans who have been left in darkness with Raila’s move, not knowing what the ODM leader is planning to achieve through this move.
“Now, what’s this?” Dr Aukot posed.
In a statement released by Wycliffe Oparanya, the Chairman of Azimio Executive Council, on Tuesday, 11 April, Azimio said they are going to hold their town hall meetings and people’s Barazas and inform their supporters as to why they called off demos as well as inform them the progress of the bipartisan talks.
The statement has indicated that Azimio will hold its first town hall meeting in Nairobi on Thursday, 13 April 2023.
After the hall meeting, they will then meet for a people’s Baraza at the Kamukunji grounds on Sunday, 16 April 2023.
“The purpose of the town hall meetings and public barazas is to enable the party to explain to the people where we are and the upcoming course of action following the suspension of protests,” Azimio la Umoja said in their statement.
A section of Kenyans believes that Raila could be planning to use the rallies to prepare his supporters for fresh demos in case bipartisan talks fails to achieve what he wants.
It should be noted that analysts had opined that it could not be a walk in the park for Raila to call supporters to the streets again if talks fail to achieve what he wants, but with this move, it seems he wants supporters to remain in the necessary mood for anything.
by: @DigitalReporter