A section of residents in Eldoret town on March 16, 2023, took to the streets in solidarity with Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s call for national mass action.
Led by Rotich Birgen and Evans Odhiambo, the locals marched through some of the Eldoret town streets holding banners and placards with a message targeted at the government over the high cost of living.
They said despite being in the region considered President William Ruto’s bastion, they are all suffering.
“Every Kenyan is suffering, where will we run to yet we’re saying this is our government. The cost of fuel increased by Ksh2 just the other day, and the price of unga keeps going high. Where are we heading in this government,” Birgen said.
“If Ruto (President) has been overwhelmed with the task of leading the country, led him leave it to Raila Odinga so that he can steer the country ahead,” added Evans Odhiambo, the ODM Uasin Gishu Organizing Secretary.
The protestors also asked religious leaders to put the country in prayers, especially on the need for electoral reforms.
Azimio demands
Since the former Prime Minister announced the start of countrywide mass actions across the country, several Azimio supporters have held protests ahead of the main event scheduled for March 20, 2023.
Among the issues, the opposition wants to be addressed is the high cost of living through the re-introduction of subsidies on fuel and maize flour.
They also want to be involved in the selection panel for the new IEBC team.
Their demands have however been turned down by President Ruto who insists subsidies were benefiting cartels.
He has also insisted that he acted within the law in the constitution a panel that will recruit the new IEBC team.
“I did what I was obligated to do by law and the Constitution and that is to gazette the panel that will see the picking of IEBC commissioners,” Ruto said during a church service in Chuka, Tharaka Nithi County on March 12, 2023.
“Those telling me not to follow the law and the Constitution and operate as their demands and self-interests which is not in the law, jameni hiyo sitafanya, I am sorry wacha tu niwaambie, hiyo haiwezeka,” he added.
Meanwhile, with the Monday showdown looming, the Azimio leaders in Uasin Gishu say they have mobilized themselves and will be heading to Nairobi for the demonstrations.
They say they have over 1,000 people from North Rift who will be travelling to the capital to join other supporters for the peaceful demonstration.
