Inside Raila's Trip To Poland Ahead Of Kamukunji Rally

Raila was in the company of his daughter, Winnie Odinga, and they were keynote speakers at the conference themed 'Rolling Back Authoritarianism'.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Jun 23, 2023 - 12:05 Updated: Jun 23, 2023 - 12:09
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Inside Raila's Trip To Poland Ahead Of Kamukunji Rally
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Uganda's opposition leader Bobi Wine in Poland on June 22, 2023. /BOBI WINE

Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, travelled to Poland where he met global leaders during a conference organised by opposition politicians. 

Ugandan musician and opposition leader, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine took to social media on Thursday, June 22 to share a photo posing with the Azimio la Umoja leader.

Raila was in the company of his daughter, Winnie Odinga, and they were keynote speakers at the conference themed 'Rolling Back Authoritarianism'.

"Today we met with opposition leaders and freedom fighters from all over the world in Gdansk Poland for a round table discussion under the theme 'Rolling Back Authoritarianism'.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga alongside other world opposition leaders in Poland on June 22, 2023. /BOBI WINE

"It's always great to reconnect and assess the progress of the fight for freedom and democracy internationally. This is a fight we must win," read Bobi Wine's statement in part.

Raila's long-term friend and former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, was also in attendance at the event. 

It was however unclear when he flew out of the country for the conference coming just before his mega Kamukunji Grounds rally scheduled for Tuesday, June 27.

Raila's last public appearance was in the aftermath of the Toi Market fire in Kibra whereby he met traders.

He was also absent from the Azimio presser on Thursday, June 22, and when asked about his whereabouts, NARC Kenya party leader, Martha Karua, indicated that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) boss was abroad for a personal trip, despite promising that he would return for the rally.

Raila's Kamukunji Rally In Response To Finance Bill

The opposition coalition announced at the presser that it will hold a public engagement forum on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at Kamkunji Grounds in Nairobi to discuss the Finance Bill 2023 and the national budget, hours after the Finance Bill was passed in the National Assembly.

"We saw what happens when a rogue and uncaring Head of the Executive decides that the only thing that matters is his ego, fantasies, corruption, and cronies' agenda.

"We also learnt the hard way that this illegitimate regime can ignore the people, their feelings, fears, circumstances, hopes and aspirations and force its agenda on them. That is what Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza followers did with the passage of the Finance Bill, 2023. Ignoring the wishes of a majority of Kenyans signals the era of dictatorship. Kenyans beware," Karua stated. 

Azimio la Umoja stated that members of the public will be allowed to ask questions and share their views on the controversial Finance Bill in a forum which is part of its efforts to engage the public on key economic issues as it ponders on whether to seek legal action or return to nationwide mass protests.

"We say sorry to the millions of Kenyans who are struggling to come to terms with the harsh reality. We know many of you think this is a nightmare that will fizzle out.

"Unfortunately, it is here with us, and here to stay, unless we act now. The Ruto regime ensured that the wishes of the people were ignored. Instead, he retained punitive taxes on fuel, housing, turnover, mobile money transfer and salaries, among others," Karua, who read Azimio la Umoja's statement, added.

Azimio la Umoja leadership alongside Martha Karua during a presser on June 22, 2023. /FILE

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