Raila Odinga speaks before the June 25 protests, says Kenyans have the right to march

• Raila Odinga defended the rights of Kenyans to march as the country preparing for the June 25 show to celebrate one year since the police kill the protesters
• Speaking in Mombasa, Raila called on the government to respect constitutional rights and allow peaceful protests under police protection
• The ODM leader reiterated how the youths managed last year’s protests, accusing the government of using bad force instead of negotiations

As the country prepares for the June 25 protests, Raila Odinga He has strongly defended the constitutional rights of Kenyans to march, calling on the government and the police to be responsible and respect the law.

The leader of the ODM party, speaking in Mombasa County, said The procession The planned will celebrate the lost life during last year’s protest against the 2024 financial bill.

Raila emphasized that section 37 of the Constitution assures every Kenyan right to gather, vote and file a complaint to public authorities, as long as they do so in peace and unarmed.

He noted that those who want to march are required to inform the authorities in advance, including exchanging information such as the starting point, path, final location and time.

“The police should protect the protesters, not to attack them. Their role is to ensure peace and protect wealth,” He said.

To support his move, Raila referred to peaceful protests in countries such as the United States, where police provided security and maintained stability without violence.

What did Raila say about the June 25 protest?

Raila called on law enforcement officers to rebuild the public, warning that attempts to suppress protests would be in vain.

“We cannot justify protest. It must happen whenever citizens feel sad. What is important is how they are run,” He said.

He also called for civilization, saying that protests should not be used to frustrate the country’s economy.

“Even tomorrow, no one should stop people from getting out. If they want to march, let them do so. It’s their right,” Raila added.

Recalling the 2024 protest, Raila shared how the youths told him not to participate in the protest, insisting that they would lead the charges themselves.

“They told me I did enough and I had to stay home. He remembered.

The veteran politician expressed remorse over the brutal response of the police, saying some of the protesters were shot and died before the Kenyan defense force was sent.

“Kenya was burning. Ruto He was forced to abandon the bill and make changes to his government. I defended justice and called the conversation, but some refused, ” He said.

Raila was saddened that promises made after the protest such as compensating families that lost their loved ones have not yet been implemented and thus spark another wave of protests that are now scheduled for June 25.

Do foreign embassies support the Gen Z protests?

In a related situation, twelve foreign missions, including those in the United States, Britain, and Germany, warned the Kenyan government ahead of the scheduled protests of June 25.

The diplomats urged the administration of President William Ruto to allow the Memorial protest to continue in peace, with Kenyans preparing to be killed by young people killed during protests against the 2024 financial bill.

The delegates issued a joint statement warning against the sending of civilian police officers and unarmed vehicles during the protest.

What did MP Koech say about the joint statement of diplomats?

Belgut MP Nelson Koech opposed the language and voice used by the delegates, saying it showed them as privileged and extremists.

The MP, who is the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Security, Foreign Relations and Intelligence of the National Assembly, claimed that the use of the “robbers” recorded “in a statement issued by the diplomats is a good indication that they were not biased.

He emphasized that the delegates were interfering with domestic affairs with absolute carelessness to freedom and authority.

Although he acknowledged some of the issues raised by the diplomats in their joint statement, Koech dismissed fears that there would be human rights violations during the protest, saying Kenya had a developmental constitution that guides the government’s cooperation with the public.

Minister of Internal Security Kipchumba Murkomen He shared the same opinion, emphasizing that the police would be skilled during the protest.

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Source: TUKO.co.ke