Raila Rides Matatu, Walks To Work [PHOTOS & VIDEO]

The former Prime Minister in videos shared on his social media platforms was seen seemingly enjoying the atmosphere inside the vehicle in the company of his bodyguard and other Azimio leaders.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Jul 10, 2023 - 10:18 Updated: Jul 10, 2023 - 18:08
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Raila Rides Matatu, Walks To Work [PHOTOS & VIDEO]
Raila Odinga poses for a selfie inside a matatu on July 10, 2023. /RAILA ODINGA

Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga on Monday, July 10 abandoned his luxury vehicles and boarded a matatu to his place of work in Nairobi in a bid to step up protests against the rising cost of living.

The former Prime Minister in videos shared on his social media platforms was seen seemingly enjoying the atmosphere inside the vehicle in the company of his bodyguard and other Azimio leaders.

Even before boarding the Public Service Vehicle (PSV), Raila was seen interacting with other matatu passengers at the bus stop and even bought a newspaper to show an example of the life of an ordinary Kenyan.

Raila Odinga buying a newspaper from a vendor on July 10, 2023. /RAILA ODINGA

Onlookers milled around him as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader prepared to board a bus to his offices at Capitol Hill, in Upperhill.

"Baba you must not stop. Continue pressing on until such a time when the traffic police shall have stopped taking bribes and fuel prices significantly reduced," a Matatu conductor implored Raila.

Inside the vehicle, Raila exchanged pleasantries with other passengers with others seizing the rare opportunity to take selfies.

The matatu, which plies the Rongai-Lang'ata-Nairobi route operated as normal, picking up passengers along the way while playing music.

"Embracing the convenience and camaraderie of public transport heading to work this morning," Raila captioned a video on his social media.

The Azimio la Umoja leader's stunt comes on the back of imploring Kenyans to embrace tax boycotts by stripping President William Ruto of the fuel tax through methods to reduce fuel consumption, including carpooling in journeys.

He also urged them to embrace walking more often than driving and reducing unnecessary travel, urging all employers to give their employees time to walk to work and back home every weekday.

"Let us embrace tax boycotts. Let us deny Ruto the fuel tax by limiting the consumption of petrol and diesel, one way to do this is to carpool. Let us arrange to make regular journeys in a single vehicle whenever possible, and give each other a ride.

"Cut down on non-essential travel. Walk instead of driving whenever possible. I appeal to all employers to allow their workers time to walk to and from work," he urged during the Kamukunji Rally on Tuesday, June 27.

The calls were in response to the Finance Act which has introduced new taxes and levies that will see workers' payslips reduce and the cost of goods go up. 

The opposition leader at a rally on Friday, July 7, at Kamukunji Grounds said it was the beginning of anti-Ruto protests, accusing the current administration of failing to listen to the plight of ordinary Kenyans.

Raila Odinga boarding a matatu on July 10, 2023. /RAILA ODINGA

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