Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party Leader Raila Odinga has provided the greatest indication that he will remain active in the country’s political space.
In the face of heightened calls for the former Prime Minister to finally hang his boots in politics, Raila disclosed Wednesday that he is not about to go away and will instead continue playing an active role, especially as far as issues affecting the country is concerned.
Odinga who was on a meet the people tour of Mathare and Ruaraka Constituencies in Nairobi disclosed that he had to come out, after a bruising political contest that culminated in the August 9 election which his rival William Ruto emerged victorious, due to the present state of affairs in the country.
“I went silent after the elections. I have been quiet, but I have realized my people are suffering and I have decided I can’t stay in the dark anymore. I decided to move around and meet the people one-on-one, ask them questions and find out how they are,” he said
Perhaps to encourage his supporters, Raila proclaimed; “Baba is still here for you,” According to Raila, the new administration headed by Ruto was yet to address the issue of the high cost of living, even though he had made it one of his biggest campaign agendas.
“He (Ruto) said the price of maize flour will reduce from Ksh. 200 to Ksh.70, but has that happened? What about the price of petrol, has it reduced? What about bus fares, has it reduced or increased? He posed.
Raila described the current cost of living as ‘unbearably high’ for ordinary Kenyans and that the government has no option but to institute corrective measures to ease the economic burden facing a majority of families.
“I had a chat with a boda boda operator today, and he told me on a single day he earns up to Ksh. 700. But fuel alone costs him Ksh. 500 and he remains with a balance of Ksh. 200 only. You know the cost of 2kg maize flour is Ksh. 200, where will he get other monies to invest in the stock exchange (as alluded to by President Ruto)?” He said
On Tuesday, Raila made a surprise appearance in the middle of the city where he interacted with some Kenyans at the Jevanjee Gardens in the famous ‘Bunge La Wananchi’ round-table before taking a walk with a number of his supporters across Nairobi streets.
“I listened and encouraged them to remain vigilant of our hard-won constitutional rights. Freedom of association/speech is a key pillar of our democracy,” he said
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