Traders in the Kisumu Kibuye market have embarked on a signature collection drive that had been launched by Azimio Leader Raila Odinga dubbed ‘Tumechoka Signature Drive’.
Judith Mateng’o the chairperson of Kibuye Traders said the exercise is part of the wider initiative that targets 15 million signatures to pressurize President William Ruto-led administration to repeal the 2023 finance Act that has contributed to the escalating cost of living.
She said traders were tired of the high cost of living occasioned by the high price of commodities within the market.
"We have people servicing loans who can no longer pay, they cannot pay fees, some traders have gone back to their homes because they can no longer afford life within the city. That's why we are part of this course," she said.
Judith noted that as traders within the market, they decided to express their disappointments and grievances through the signature collections.
"We have been here since morning and the number of people were are seeing coming through is just overwhelming and a clear indication that people are tired of this regime."
The traders at the same time called out the excesses of the police force during the protests.
They further warned that they will continue to participate in the anti-government protests as guaranteed under Article 37 of the Constitution.
"We want to say that we will continue going to the streets to exercise our democratic rights and if this is what this regime understands then so be it," she said adding that police brutality and profiling should stop.
Fredrick Odhiambo a boda boda youth leader within the market said they will do door-to-door mobilization to ensure as many people append their signatures.
"We are doing mobilization across, not only within the market. We want to ensure as many people as possible sign the forms so that we can have this regime address some of the challenges we are facing as Kenyans."
Another trader Eric Obondi said they are watching keenly what is happening within the country warning against any attack on Raila during such protest.
"We have heard the remarks by different leaders from the Kenya Kwanza government on Raila and issues of demonstration and we want to tell them that as Raila's supporters, we are behind him always."
He added that life is already hard for Kenyans and that what the regime promises hustlers were just hearsay because the hustlers are the main people suffering currently within the country.
This comes even as the signature collection drive gains momentum across the country.
Earlier, the website was down and could only display templates with no tabs for signature collection.
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna claimed that there were attacks on the website.
He said that they have faced more than 1,000 attacks on the website.
"They are crying and saying the signature drive is going nowhere, but they are actively sabotaging the collection of signatures," he said.
Last Tuesday Azimio Coalition unveiled a digital platform aimed at netting 15 million signatures that seeks to drive President Ruto out of office.
Raila said it's only through unity of purpose that the government can start listening to Kenyans' grievances.