Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has maintained that his party is still in the opposition.
Speaking in Siaya on Saturday, July 27, 2024, during the burial of lawyer Evans Oruenjo Umidha, Raila said ODM has not yet joined the anticipated government of national unity.
Raila said that the opposition has not changed and that if the president needs the services of some of the ODM experts, he has released them but they must work as per the ethics of the party.
“If you want to take some of our experts to join your government, we release them to join your government and work in accordance with the ethics of our party, the ODM and Azimio. The position has not changed,” Raila said.
“If you want to take some of our experts to join your government, we release them, but the position has not changed,” Raila Odinga pic.twitter.com/IoqdecAGC0
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) July 27, 2024
Raila on Gen Z demands
Raila maintained that the demands ODM had issued to the President William Ruto-led administration must be met before holding any conversation about forming a government of national unity.
The demands Raila reiterated must be met before the anticipated national dialogue touches on the issues affecting the Gen Zs.
Raila accused the media of misinterpreting what the opposition has been saying.
“The media keep on all the time misinterpreting what we have been saying. We have said it so many times that Kenya requires a national convention. We want to have a national convention that people of Kenya will come together to talk constructively about the problems that are facing our country.
“Kenya is at a critical juncture. We either move forward or we perish, and because we don’t want to perish, we need that conversation. And that is what I had proposed, that we must have this conversation that takes cognizance of the demographic profile of our nation, and there are several issues that need to be discussed at that convention,” Raila said.
Raila on protests victims
The ODM boss demanded the compensation of families of those who were killed in protests in 2023 and 2024.
Raila further demanded that the government foot the bill for those injured in hospitals.
He also noted that he was pushing for the release of those who had been arrested even as he added that the government must withdraw cases against those charged for protesting.
“The issues include, number one, compensation for the families of the victims of violence, last year and this year. Two, paying off all hospital medical bills of victims of police violence.
“Number three is the release of all people who have been arrested and are still in custody. Four is the dropping of all the pending charges in court. Number five is the sacking and prosecution of all police officers who have been involved in police violence,” Raila stated.
The Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition party leader was clarifying claims that the opposition has joined the Ruto government after ODM getting four Cabinet slots in recent Cabinet changes announced by the Head of State.
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