Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga has declared the onset of a countrywide mass action that will culminate in a major mass protest on March 20, 2023.


Raila declared the beginning of the much-expected mass action protests on Thursday at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation in Upper Hill, Nairobi.

About a fortnight ago during the Azimio National Prayer Day rally held at Nairobi’s Jeevanjee Gardens, Raila issued a 14-day ultimatum to President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration to act fast and lower the cost of living.

The former Prime Minister also issued a raft of demands that he wanted to be met before the lapse of his ultimatum and threatened to organise the countrywide mass action.

While addressing journalists on Thursday, Raila accused Ruto of overseeing the looting of public coffers and blamed that for the ever-rising cost of living in the country.

He also faulted Ruto’s administration for lifting the ban on the importation of GMOs which he said would destroy Kenya’s food basket.

Raila also accused the former deputy president of introducing policies that have seen Kenyans get overtaxed.


Regarding the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) reconstruction process, Raila said the selection panel was partisan and would produce a team of commissioners he likened to Wafula Chebukati whom he once accused of bungling the 2022 presidential elections.

He also said there was a plot to manipulate the 2027 presidential election results in favour of Ruto.

Raila said the ‘Cherera Four’ were victimised by Ruto because of the stand they took during the previous presidential election.

The ODM chief also accused the Supreme Court of Kenya of which upheld Ruto’s victory of prejudice and contempt and claimed Ruto has captured the three arms of Government namely the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.

He accused Ruto of going back on his promise to lower the public wage bill by adopting more offices in his government and said they had no patience with Ruto’s administration, which he termed illegitimate.

“We do not have patience with the illegitimate regime. We cannot keep living on false promises,” Raila said.


Raila also noted the president has made appointments along tribal lines and said the civil service prominently features only two communities, while members of the other communities are being targeted because of their political stands.

On faith matters, Raila accused Ruto of sidelining other religious groups in the country such as Islam and Hinduism, because he was only focused on Christianity.