Raila Odinga's Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition made a resounding statement on Tuesday, addressing the nation with a strong call to action in response to what they perceive as the oppressive rule of President William Ruto.
The movement declared its determination to challenge the regime's actions and announced a nationwide Kamukunji gathering, marking the beginning of a significant movement known as the Third Liberation.
Under the title "The People Have Had Enough," Azimio expressed the growing frustration among Kenyans who feel taken for granted and treated as fools.
The movement condemned the imposition of taxes without consent and the implementation of laws that further burden the lives of citizens.
In particular, they criticized the removal of subsidies on essential goods like fuel, maize flour, electricity, and school fees, while observing that subsidies were being granted to helicopter owners and used to support the lavish lifestyles of Ruto's allies.
Read More
"We cannot tolerate the current state of taxation and its accompanying injustices any longer," Azimio asserted.
They described Ruto as a heartless tyrant, showing no regard for the welfare of the people.
To address this situation, Azimio announced the Kamukunji meeting scheduled to take place in Nairobi on Friday, emphasizing that it would be a nationwide gathering with far-reaching implications.
Azimio declared their intention to initiate signature collection campaigns on July 7th, 2023, as a means to express their rejection of the allegedly illegitimate Kenya Kwanza regime and its punitive tax policies.
The movement drew attention to the skyrocketing prices of fuel, food, and transportation, noting that fares had already increased by 30 per cent.
In their unwavering resilience, Azimio urged fellow Kenyans not to suffer in silence but to raise their voices against the injustices they face.
"Unity is crucial now more than ever," emphasized Azimio, recognizing the power of collective action.
They called upon citizens to stand together and work towards achieving their desires and rightful entitlements.
Azimio clarified their commitment to peaceful methods of protest, including pickets, boycotts, and civil disobedience, emphasizing that violence was abhorrent to their cause.
They stressed their belief in the law and the rule of law, stating that they would operate within its boundaries.
The coalition further invoked the words of Martin Luther King Jr., stating, "Now it means sacrificing, yes, it means sacrificing at points. But there are some things that we've got to learn to sacrifice for. And we've got to come to the point that we are determined not to accept a lot of things that we have been accepting in the past."
Drawing inspiration from these words, Azimio called upon all Kenyan citizens to prepare themselves for the Kamukunji gathering in Nairobi and other locations across the country on Friday.
Azimio thanked the Kenyan people for their support and urged them to gather for what they described as the "Saba Saba of our lifetime."
The movement stood firm in their conviction that they were on the right side of the struggle, maintaining that their peaceful methods of civil disobedience were firmly grounded in their rights as citizens.
The nation now waits in anticipation of Friday's Kamukunji, where the coalition asserts voices of discontent will unite, and the call for change will resonate louder than ever before.
