I'm Not Scared Of A Travel Ban- Raila
Raila noted that he was not bothered by such reports as his call for mass action and rallies were...
Marvin Chege 
Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga, has now said he is not scared of being banned from visiting any country overseas amidst reports of President William Ruto's administration pushing the West to impose sanctions on him for "destabilising" the country.
Speaking at a rally in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County on Sunday, February 26, Raila noted that he was not bothered by such reports as his call for mass action and rallies were provided for in the Constitution of Kenya.
He further termed the calls by Kenya Kwanza to the West and allied countries to ban him from stepping foot in their countries as "mere hot air and acts of cowardice".
Raila Odinga addresses residents of Kisumu Town on February 18, 2023. /RAILA ODINGA
"I have heard them saying that Raila should not be allowed to travel in other countries for claims that I will bring chaos. I have no intentions.
"We don't have any issues with other countries. We are friends with neighbouring and international countries from the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Russia and African countries," he stated.
He further noted that he had no problem with the West imposing sanctions on him as long as they agree that "Kenya’s problems must be fixed by Kenyans themselves".
"If we have problems, it is our responsibility as Kenyans to transform and solve them. We would not outside interference from international countries," he noted.
Raila made reference to Article 37 of the Constitution which indicates that every person has the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions to public authorities.
The ODM party leader told the Western countries to disregard the calls, and instead, seek to establish if the Kenya Kwanza government is legitimately in power.
"If we have dirty linen as a country, it is our mandate to clean it. If there were electoral injustices, it is our role to rectify them. This is through the Constitution of Kenya. I would like each of you to read Article 37 which grants Kenyans the right to demonstrate. This is allowed according to the law.
"So all foreign entities ought to respect Kenyans. Let them respect the rights of every Kenyan. We don't want them to interfere with our internal affair," he affirmed.
Lawmakers and politicians allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration had earlier revealed that Raila's recent rallies and threats for mass action over the high cost of living are undermining a legitimate government and urged the United States, the United Kingdom and western countries to take against the former Prime Minister.
“You cannot earn the respect of the international community when you are busy trying to cause civil strife in your country. (President Robert) Mugabe of Zimbabwe was a respected democrat but when he started undermining the same democratic tenets, the international community placed tough sanctions against him. Raila has earned a name for himself for being a democrat. But if he starts behaving like a rebel, we will ask the international community to punish him,” National Assembly Deputy Majority Leader Owen Baya was quoted as saying by the Sunday Nation.
On his part, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei recommended that the former premier should be denied the privileges he enjoys both locally and internationally by virtue of his former office, among them access to VIP lounges at airports.
Raila on Wednesday, February 22 gave President Ruto's government 14 days to lower the cost of living amongst other demands or stage mass action, threats that the Head of State poured cold water on.
