Raila's mass action call amounts to treason, there will be a bloodbath - PLO Lumumba

Constitutional lawyer Prof. PLO Lumumba has described the recent threats by Opposition leader Raila Odinga and his supporters to lead countrywide demonstrations from next week as an attempt to overthrow the government, noting that the actions are treasonable.

Speaking on the JKLive show on Wednesday, the seasoned lawyer noted that if the demonstrations witnessed in Kisumu on Wednesday were a precursor to Raila and his followers overrunning State House, then their move will infringe on the constitutional right to hold peaceful demonstrations and become anarchic.

"Mass action presupposes and requires leadership not to use demonstration as a basis for creating confusion. It is about doing things that are in accordance with the law and using methods that are recognised," Prof. Lumumba told show host Jeff Koinange.

"If that is going to happen on March 20, I dare say without mincing words that the opposition led by Raila is actually saying that they are going to overthrow the government of Kenya and that is treason."

He added that should Odinga and his followers follow through on their threats and breach State House then all hell will break loose.

"If there is a march on State House on the 20th and God forbid that the mob succeeds in getting into State House and imagine that someone is shot dead and there is a stampede there will be a blood bath and Kenya will never be the same again. What happens on the 21st? What is the endgame?" he posed.  

According to Lumumba, Raila should use existing institutions to hold the current regime accountable while keeping it on its toes instead of calling for mass protests.

"Thus far I have not seen a petition made by a member of Azimio or governors of Azimio saying that there is a crisis in the country. It cannot be right that we use the constitution to intimidate Kenyans. It is improper, selfish, undesirable and wrong and it must be condemned without fear," he said.

While noting that he is against the mass protests owing to his love for Kenya, PLO opined that if Raila and his close allies were at the forefront of such protests in foreign countries, the Azimio boss would have already been apprehended for his actions.

"Whether one likes President Ruto or not this government has been very restrained. In other parts of the world, Raila Odinga and his acolytes would have been arrested but the government to its credit has restrained itself from doing that," said Lumumba. 

Speaking at State House, Nairobi when he met leaders from Trans Nzoia County, the Head of State insisted that he will not allow any attempt by Odinga to "blackmail" the country, urging him to liaise with police over the planned demonstrations.