4 Conditions Raila's Mass Protests Must Satisfy- PLO Lumumba

Constitutional lawyer Prof. Patrick Loch Otieno (PLO) Lumumba has given Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga four ways he should implement to prevent the planned mass action on Monday, March 20 from degenerating into chaos.

Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV's Jeff Koinange on Wednesday, March 15, Lumumba explained the meaning of mass action as one that presupposes and requires leadership not to use demonstration as a basis for creating confusion.

According to the seasoned lawyer, it is about doing things that are in accordance with the law and using methods that are recognised.

He made reference to how mass action was used as an instrument used effectively by the late Martin Luther King Jr, an American Baptist minister and activist and one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement, who noted that any responsible leader seeking to engage in mass action must satisfy four tests:

Raila Odinga in Siaya County on March 15, 2023. /RAILA ODINGA

"They must demonstrate that they have a grievance and they do not want to use mass action to cause confusion and for the purpose of revenge. They must demonstrate that they have exhausted all methods of engaging the government including negotiations and petitions.

"Having found all those methods and doors to be closed that they intend to ensure that they do not cause injustice to others. They must demonstrate that they have a clear programme of salvaging the society without causing injustice to others," he recommended.

Lumumba accused the Azimio la Umoja coalition of so far failing in the tests that would qualify their anti-government agenda as mass action, reading malice in their intentions to forcefully remove President William Ruto and his government from power.

He further expressed fear that the intentions for March 20 have sinister motives and that the mass action would risk degenerating into chaotic events that would plunge the country into a black hole.

“Let us put the so-called ‘mass action’ against the Kenyan test and it fails on all four. What we are being told is going to be an insurrection because it has been declared at different rallies that the intention is to remove the government of President William Ruto as established," he 

"It has been said that that government is illegitimate and that what is going to happen on Monday the 20th is a date with destiny. In other words, that one million supporters of Azimio will move into State House and remove President Ruto and install Raila Odinga as the President of the Republic of Kenya. If that is not a recipe for chaos and bloodbath, tell me what the recipe is and I see people taking it very lightly, it is not light…lives will be lost," he expressed.

Lumumba further added that he has not seen a petition made by a member of Azimio or governors of Azimio saying that there is a crisis in the country and that the Constitution cannot be used to intimidate Kenyans, terming the actions of the Azimio leadership as improper, selfish, undesirable and wrong, and must be condemned without fear.

The lawyer further added that the former Prime Minister is being misled by his close confidants instead of advising him on better ways he can air his frustrations against President Ruto's regime without turning to mass action.

He added that should Raila proceed with the planned protests, slated for March 20, 2023, then the former premiere will taint his political image, legacy and reputation which he has spent decades building.

"When you read social media, there is no shortage of individuals on the side of Azimio urging Odinga to go on. I am urging him please, do not listen to these individuals, they are not your well-wishers. There are people who want the historical credits that you have accumulated to be forgotten by history; do not listen to them," he appealed to Raila.

He went ahead to advise Odinga to reach out to President Ruto and establish harmonious relations with the head of state for the sake of Kenyans.

"It is not too late, this country belongs to all of us and I hope if Raila loves this country as he says he does this is the time to reach out to President Ruto. The clergy urged him yesterday. I'm urging him to listen to the country. I am urging him to do what is good and right. Kenya is waiting. Let us stop this nonsense," added Lumumba, despite reiterating that he is not advocating for a handshake between Ruto and Raila.

During the JKLive show, Lumumba also made public a confidential letter addressed to both leaders, that was calling for a cease-fire between President Ruto and Raila, noting that the country is on tenterhooks due to planned mass protests.

Lumumba had appealed to Ruto to continue discharging his duties as the duly elected president of the republic of Kenya without fear or favour but work with the opposition to ensure economic recovery, social cohesion and political stability.