Raila Changes Plan On Storming State House On March 20

Azimio La Umoja party leader, Raila Odinga on Saturday, March 18 clarified that not all protesters will march to State House during the planned rallies on Monday, March 20.

Speaking in a joint interview with the media, Raila divulged that Azimio will send a delegation to deliver a message to President William Ruto at State House as protests continue in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).

In addition, Raila noted that those protesters who will be unable to make it to Nairobi on March 20 will present a memorandum to their respective national government offices across the 47 counties.

"We shall send some people to give Ruto our message. State House is a public place (despite being protected), and if they allow our delegates to enter, so be it. If they don't, they will leave the message at the door," he stated. 

"State House is a public property, the coalition will select a delegation of people who will represent the coalition at State House," Odinga stated adding that he was not sure whether he would be part of the selected delegation. 

He however admitted that he was unsure of whether or not the Head of State would be at State House or his Harambee House office in Nairobi CBD.

Raila further assured that Azimio had secured a police permit to stage demonstrations in compliance with the law.

When asked what next after the March 20 protests, the former Prime Minister insisted that the protests would continue in the coalition's relentless push to have the demands presented to President Ruto's government met.

"After Monday we will see. We first want to let the universe that something is happening in Kenya," the former Prime Minister stated in response to a question on whether he was ready to engage President Ruto in a dialogue. 

He further affirmed that he was not interested in being part of the President Ruto administration, in response to calls by a section of Kenyans for a truce between him and the President.

In addition, he noted that his calls for mass action were motivated by the push to ensure electoral justice is served after their demands to have the election servers opened fell on deaf ears.

Odinga's changes came amidst warnings from the Kenya Kwanza administration, including Majority Leader in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung'wah on protesters using the March 20 protests to their advantage in disrupting businesses in Nairobi.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also assured fearful traders that the government had implemented enough measures to ensure their businesses are protected during the demonstrations.

Earlier, he advised employees against absconding from work on that day, noting that police will escort them to their places of work and guard critical infrastructure.