Raila says State House march to begin at Nairobi CBD

Azimio La Umoja leader Raila Odinga says Monday’s “grand march to State House” is on and will kick off at Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).

Odinga on Sunday urged Kenyans to turn out in large numbers at the city centre, from where they will proceed to President William Ruto’s official residence to air their grievances.

He said they will “reclaim” their 2022 General Election win, which he insists was stolen through a rigged exercise by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

“Let us all converge in the CBD and begin our grand March to State House to reclaim our stolen victory,” he said.

On Saturday, the former prime minister said not every protester will go to State House, save for a few representatives from the opposition.

In an interview with Citizen TV, he said the representatives will be sent to communicate Azimio’s grievances to Ruto on behalf of the protesters.

He claimed they had already informed the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome about the demonstrations.

“We are people who respect and know the law…Our leader Wycliffe Oparanya wrote to the Inspector General of Police informing him that we would hold a rally. Those who will be able to come to Nairobi will come to Nairobi and those unable will hold their meetings wherever they will be,” he told Sam Gituku.

“It will be peaceful protests and they have the memorandum which they will take to different government offices. Here in Nairobi, we also have the memos which we are going to take to the President. If he will be in Harambee House, we will take the memos there, if he will be in State House, we will send people to take it there; not the crowd. We will send a message through a few people to take our petition to the President, not the whole crowd.”

Odinga’s demonstrations, which he maintains will be peaceful, are part of his plan to pressure Ruto’s administration to lower the cost of living, among addressing its other concerns.