Raila Odinga Threatens Fresh Anti-Government Protests over Unfulfilled Promises and Economic Hardship

Kenya’s opposition leader and Azimio La Umoja coalition party leader, Raila Odinga, has issued a warning of potential renewed anti-government protests next year, expressing regret that Kenyans had faced challenging times in 2023. Odinga noted that most of the promises made by the current administration had not materialized, leaving the citizens disillusioned.

Raila Odinga gave the warning during the launch of the construction of the perimeter wall of Migwena Sports and Cultural Ground on Saturday, December 30.
He said “Kenyans have endured hardships in 2023. They started the year with optimism due to promises made by these individuals. They claimed that once in government, the hustlers would fare well, but it turned out to be just empty words. Kenyans have had a tough year in 2023 and are hopeful for 2024,”
The opposition leader highlighted the government’s dismissal of their calls to halt the increase of taxes on essential commodities.
Raila warned that if the controversial Finance Act 2023 is not repealed, he will mobilize his supporters for another wave of protests.
“We ourselves said the cost of living was high and urged the government not to increase taxes, but they continued to raise taxes, causing significant losses for Kenyans. We are saying in the New Year, this tax law must be repealed, the Finance Act must be repealed. If the Finance Act is not repealed, we will return to the field. We will tell Kenyans to go back to the field,” he declared.
In a November statement, Raila had advised President William Ruto on addressing the cost of living by reducing the government’s operating budget by KSh 500 billion and cutting the taxes introduced under the Finance Act 2023.
The opposition leader argued that the promises made to uplift the hustlers, the lower-income citizens, had not been fulfilled, and they were now facing increased financial burdens.