I think those bringing the cost of living debate into the equation and seeing its absence from the list of negotiation items as betrayal are missing the point. When there's peace the cost of living will go down. Peace is the key to everything. Let's not be petty!
Why would someone be having over 20 guns yet they are not an armoury. Let's be honest with each other. A siege mentality to earn cheap public sympathy will not cut it. The security of the nation is paramount. If police are coming for you, it's not for nothing
Dear Raila Odinga supporters and sympathizers, as you may or may not have noticed, your leader was absent in action today. But he incited you to loot and vandalize. These are economic crimes that have far reaching legal implications. GoK shall get in touch with you. Sooner than you may think. And you will be on your own. This is economic sabotage. All Kenyans of goodwill are now enjoined. See you! #Maandamanowednesday
I condemn in the strongest terms possible the wanton destruction of property - public & private - in the name of protesting high cost of living. These are not demonstrations. This is thuggery clothed in constitutional garb. This is economic sabotage.. its intended effect is counter productive to the purported cause. How does burning cars, buildings and destroying infrastructure which we are still paying loans for bring down the cost of living? While police must protect peaceful protestors thugs, saboteurs and their hirers must face the full force of the law!
What happens when state captures parliament? What happens when Parliament Majority Leader publicly declares that the government paid opposition MP's to manipulate the votes? What happens when the Judiciary is in bed with the government?
The scenes witnessed today are extremely heartbreaking.
While the concept of public demonstrations and protests, Maandamano, has historically played a significant role in bringing about fundamental changes in the country, the current situation appears to be a zero-sum game with no winners but losers.
The right to engage in peaceful demonstrations and picketing is not only enshrined in our constitution but also available to all Kenyans, regardless of their background, as a means to express dissatisfaction with government policies or the conduct of elected officials.
However, this right comes with a responsibility and patriotic duty for protestors to ensure that their activities remain peaceful, without causing harm to lives or property. Anything beyond this infringes upon the rights of other Kenyans to conduct their daily affairs and is therefore akin to lawlessness and terrorism.
Even more importantly, in a mature democracy like ours, the opposition has an established platform in parliament to act as a check and balance on the government, holding them accountable for their actions. Any genuine and meaningful dissatisfaction with the government should ideally be expressed through this channel. Interestingly, both the Kenya Kwanza and Azimio La Umoja coalitions initially formed a bipartisan team to address these issues through structured dialogue. It is unclear why or if they have since abandoned these engagements.
Unfortunately, it is highly regrettable when politicians manipulate the emotions and frustrations of innocent Kenyans, engaging in counterproductive political activities that hampers the very goal of reducing the high cost of living it claims to support, as it disrupts business activities and creates instability. As such, the cause loses its pretence of genuineness and gradually degenerates into a desperate attempt to exploit the poor for political gain.
Moreover, clashes between unruly protestors and the police force sometimes result in unintended loss of life, as authorities attempt to prevent property destruction. This situation is detrimental to everyone involved and serves no beneficial purpose.
When all is said and done, we will all need a country to live in, and when the guns finally go silent, it won't matter who was right but who is left.