Orange Democratic Movement Party Leader, Raila Odinga, has cancelled the public consultation rally scheduled for Monday, December 12.
The announcement was made by the leader of the minority in the National Assembly, Opiyo Wandayi, in a presser on Thursday, December 8, at Parliament Buildings.
According to Wandayi, the ODM leader will be held up with other engagements before and after the Jamhuri Day fete.
In addition, Opiyo blamed the government for announcing free scholarships for all attendees at the Nyayo National Stadium as another reason informing their decision to call off the plans.
“We have noted that out of fear of being outnumbered, the UDA administration announced it would offer free technology scholarships to all attendees. It is a laughable offer,” he added.
However, the coalition leaders maintained that they would continue keeping the government in check and public engagements in different parts of the country.
“We reaffirm that even with the cancellation of the parallel celebrations, the People’s Dialogue shall continue in one way or another, in public or private in the coming days, weeks and months in different parts of the country,” Wandayi stated.
Raila Odinga had on December 2 announced that he would convene a rally at the Kamukunji Grounds in protest of the process launched to remove four Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners from office.
However, the plan to convene a rally parallel to the Jamhuri Day celebrations sparked a conflict within the coalition as a section of leaders under the umbrella opposed it.
Wiper Party Chairman, Chirau Ali Mwakwere, distanced the party from the plans in what he termed a ‘selfish’ move and a plan to sabotage national speech.
On Wednesday, December 7, Raila convened a rally at the Kamukunji Grounds, where they assured that plans to convene a parallel event were still on. He urged his supporters to turn out in large numbers.
While addressing the rally, Raila issued a raft of demands to President William Ruto regarding the prevailing circumstance in the country. Among them was lowering the prices of maize flour and fuel.
