ODM leaders in Nairobi have asked the youth to consider calling off Thursday’s anti-government protests.
The leaders led by Makadara MP George Aladwa, the Nairobi ODM chair, urged planners of the Nane Nane protests to tell the Gen Z to keep off the streets.
“If the country is destroyed, we will all lose. Even those in leadership positions will not have anywhere to run to,” Aladwa said.
The leaders called on the youth to give President William Ruto time to address their concerns.
“Gen Zs, you have been heard and the leadership will continue to listen to you,” he stated.
Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli on Tuesday assured of police preparedness to maintain peace across the country ahead of the fresh round of anti-government demonstrations.
Masengeli intimated that security will be heightened across the country though not to an extent that is out of the ordinary.
He urged those preparing to take part in the demonstrations to do so in adherence to the rule of law.
“Every Kenyan as per the law has liberty to demonstrate, picket and assemble as per the law. That one everyone is very much aware of and where the privilege of one ends is where the other starts,” he said.
Meanwhile, Aladwa thanked ODM party leader Raila Odinga for agreeing to be part of Ruto’s broad-based government.
He downplayed concerns that the ODM Cabinet nominees went against party and agreed to join the government.
“We wish them all the best as they take up their positions as Cabinet Secretaries,” he said.
Ruto named four ODM luminaries in his Cabinet; ODM deputy party leaders Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya, Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi and ODM chairman John Mbadi.
He nominated Mbadi to the National Treasury docket and Wandayi to the Energy ministry.
He has further nominated Joho to Mining, Blue Economy and maritime Affairs ministry and handed Oparanya the Cooperatives Development Cabinet Secretary position.
Ruto and Raila have since affirmed that they are now working together to unite Kenyans and halt the anti-government protests.
The protests are seen as a litmus test for Ruto’s proposed broad-based government.
In their address, Aladwa's team called for unity beyond party affiliations and condemned recent attack on Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during his visit to Toi Market following an inferno.
"I condemn what happened in Toi. Sakaja should be given space to work. He is an elected leader and those who might be eying his seat should wait for 2027," Aladwa said.
Sakaja was on Saturday pelted with stones by angry traders as he inspected the damage caused by a dawn fire that razed stalls at the Toi market in Kibra.
Four people died in the incident.