Raila Makes Plea To KOT, Content Creators In Fight Against Ruto

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday, June 27 allocated powers to Kenyans On Twitter (KOT) in his counter against President William Ruto whom he alleged ignored the demands he made in the Finance Act 2023.

Speaking at Kamukunji grounds, Nairobi, Raila urged his supporters to make use of the power of social media to bolster the Azimio la Umoja coalition's presence in the country as it prepares to carry out its act of civil disobedience.

The move is aimed at denying the ruling party its much-needed revenue generation to conduct its affairs and fulfil its promises made in the campaigns leading up to the 2022 general elections.

To achieve this, Raila urged KOT and social media users prominent on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram among others to rally behind him as well as name and shame those he alleged were betraying Kenyans and siding with the Kenya Kwanza government policies.

Raila Odinga greeting supporters on his way to Kamukunji grounds on June 27, 2023. /RAILA ODINGA

"I am reaching out to the online community in the country and diaspora, the famous Kenyans on Twitter, the Content Creators and Tiktokers, I have a request to you.

"Let us gather and share information about traitors, their social media accounts, telephone numbers and email addresses to show the oppressors that power belongs to the people," he announced.

Turning to the entertainment sector, Raila called upon performing artists to write and sing music that will be a source of pain to traitors (government), adding that the music themes should carry disappointments and support the fight against the government.

"Let us compose songs that will be a source of pain to our traitors until they learn to respect the people," he went on.

Some Kenyans could see Raila's decision to turn to the online and entertainment space as one that could enhance his image even further, given that both spaces are synonymous with the youth, the country's biggest population demographic.

It could also be seen as a paradigm shift in terms of politics, given that President Ruto had also made use of the digital space to propel himself to victory in the August 9, 2022 polls and has been instrumental in strengthening his image while at State House.

Both factions saw the contracting of content creators to spearhead their campaigns, though it remains to be seen if content creators will be rewarded for their fierce repulsive attacks against the high taxes by the Kenya Kwanza government.

This could still embolden content creators who had opposed the government's move to include them in the tax bracket with a five (5) per cent digital tax, reduced from the proposed 15 per cent which drew Raila's attention, and comments.

"From paying zero tax, a creative youth who creates a digital platform or content will now be required to pay 15% tax.

"As a country, we will be killing innovation and leaving our youth with too few options, if any. We will not support this proposal," he affirmed on Monday, May 8.

Meanwhile, Raila declared a protest that will begin on Saba Saba Day, Friday, July 7, in response to the government's refusal to meet his demands over the Finance Bill. Saba Saba Day is a significant date in Kenyan history, as it marks the day in 1990 when Kenyans took to the streets to demand multiparty democracy. 

Raila is urging Kenyans to once again take to the streets on Saba Saba Day to demand electoral reforms and to protest against a number of issues including the alleged stolen 2022 election victory.

Raila Odinga addressing supporters at Kamukunji grounds on June 27, 2023. /RAILA ODINGA