I won't allow Raila to lead street protests again – Kalonzo

"Let the country do it. Si Raila kila wakati na Kalonzo wanapigwa teargas."

In Summary

• The anti-government demonstrations stopped after Raila and President William Ruto agreed to hold structured bipartisan talks.

• The talks are currently ongoing after conclusion of collection of public views on the most pressing issues facing the country.

Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Azimio chief Raila Odinga attend prayers in Kitui county on October 14, 2023.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Azimio chief Raila Odinga attend prayers in Kitui county on October 14, 2023.
Image: RAILA ODINGA/X

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka now says he will not allow Azimio leader Raila Odinga to call for anti-government protests again.

Speaking in Kajiado during an interdenominational prayer service on Sunday, Kalonzo said Kenyans should stop depending on the former Prime Minister to voice their concerns.

He was responding to a call by the clergy in Kajiado who asked Raila to stop being quiet about the continued rise in the cost of living.

Kalonzo said the Opposition will not be mum on the current state of affairs, but insisted that it is time the People led the demonstrations.

"Mumetuambia Baba asinyamaze, na hatutanyamaza. Pia tusitegemee Raila pekee yake tuseme wakenya tusilale. Tupige kelele. Msiwe mnangojea sisi tu. I will not allow Raila arudi kwa maandamano. Let the country do it. Si Raila kila wakati na Kalonzo wanapigwa teargas," the Wiper leader said.

This loosely translates to, "You have told us that Baba (Raila) should not be quiet and we will not be quiet. But let us not depend on Raila alone and say Kenyans must rise up and speak. You should not only wait for us to act. I will not allow Raila to return to the demonstrations. Let the country do it, not Raila and Kalonzo getting teargassed every other time."

Kalonzo, however, called for genuine protests if at all the people will decide to take that route. 

The Azimio leadership on Sunday worshipped in Kajiado, where the clergy said Kenyans were suffering while the Opposition leadership remained quiet.

The anti-government demonstrations stopped after Raila and President William Ruto agreed to hold structured bipartisan talks.

The talks are currently ongoing after conclusion of collection of public views on the most pressing issues facing the country.

Both sides of the political divide presented their issues, which have been guiding the ongoing talks.

The Azimio side at the National Dialogue Committee is led by Kalonzo Musyoka while National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah leads the Kenya Kwanza faction.

Both teams are represented by five committee members and four-member technical teams to assist in the deliberations. 

The talks are among other issues aimed at finding solutions to recurrent electoral complaints, find solutions to rising cost of living, reconstitution of the EIBC and formation and entrenchment of the Office of the Leader of Opposition and Prime Cabinet Secretary. 

WATCH: The latest videos from the Star