A Cloud of Uncertainty, Fear Engulfs Capital City Ahead Of Planned Azimio ‘Mother Of All Protest’ On Monday
The Mt Kenya Times 
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga (centre) with other party luminaries after the press conference at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation in Nairobi
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- A few years later, opposition leaders- Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia and Raila-landed in the same trouble.
- Being the leading crusaders in the clamor for Multi-Party Democracy, the trio were rounded and locked up in the eve of Saba Saba protest rally at Kamukunji grounds that turned bloody and chaotic.
- Many Kenyans were shot dead and this heart- breaking incident drew the international community wrath and condemnation.
- Well, as Raila stated in Nakuru, the flowing of blood was not in vain as this opened a new chapter that fired and emboldened Kenyans to soldier on in the clamor for political pluralism.
A cloud of fear and political uncertainty is engulfing the capital city of Nairobi following the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga’s insistence that the Monday street demonstration which he has dubbed ‘mother of all protest’ is on course.
I have heard the clergy and associates of President William Ruto telling me to rethink my stand and call off the Monday protests.
By now, the clergymen should have sent a clear message to Mr Ruto that he is driving the country in the wrong direction.
For now, Kenyans, who are reeling from harsh economic times, have been left with only one option.
That is to invoke the power conferred on them by Articles 1 and 37 of the constitution.
These provisions give the people of this republic power to take charge of their country’s destiny. This is because the powers excercised by the leaders had been donated by them.
Raila would be economical with truth. He would not want Kenyans to know he had contributed to the same economic mess he is talking about. During the tenure of his handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta, he never raised a finger when things were going wrong.
As he toured Kiambu County to mobilize and rally support for Monday protest, Raila further stated.
The Kenya Kwanza government is totally clueless about what good governance means.
Would you want to continue to carrying this burden in the next five years?
This seemed to give a new impetus to the widely held view that Raila’s ultimate goal is to use illegal and unconstitutional to bring down Dr Ruto’s government.
Attempting to stage a civilian coup is treasonable and hence listed as one of the most serious capital offences.
I do not want to imagine that Raila want to put himself into this trouble.
He might be misled to think that he is above the law and hence untouchable.
As such, the Ruto government cannot dare to arrest and prosecute him because this would trigger a rebellion.
I doubt. To explain this, allow me to revisit a bit of our history.
In the wake of 1982 failed Kenya Air force led coup, Raila was among those who were rounded up.
Listed as one of the key organisers, he was put on trial and jailed.
Kenyans did not protest the move despite the fact he was fighting to liberate them from what he called Nyayo (President Moi) repression and dictatorship.
This happened because majority of Kenyans espoused the virtues of peace loving and God-fearing.
To them, the bloodshed and mass slaughter of Kenyans that was witnessed could have been avoided if Raila used legal and constitutional means to engage Moi government.
A few years later, opposition leaders- Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia and Raila-landed in the same trouble.
Being the leading crusaders in the clamor for Multi-Party Democracy, the trio were rounded and locked up in the eve of Saba Saba protest rally at Kamukunji grounds that turned bloody and chaotic.
Many Kenyans were shot dead and this heart- breaking incident drew the international community wrath and condemnation.
Well, as Raila stated in Nakuru, the flowing of blood was not in vain as this opened a new chapter that fired and emboldened Kenyans to soldier on in the clamor for political pluralism.
Then, Kenyans were fighting for a noble national course.
Today, it seems that Raila is pursuing a personal and selfish agenda of forcing Ruto to share the government with him.
Back to president Moi, he finally caved in. He convened and chaired KANU delegates Conference at Kasarani Sports Center that passed a resolution for repeal of Section 2A of the Constitution ushering in Multi-Party democracy.
As this happened, the push for release of Matiba started withering and he continued to rot in detention.
Reports indicated that President Moi later ordered for his unconditional release and this was on ground of sympathy.
He was told that his health condition had deteriorated and he needed urgent medical attention.
At the time, the country was being governed by the old constitution which entrenched and promoted constitutional dictatorship and hence shielded the president from being held to account.
This has now changed courtesy of the new constitution that was adopted and promulgated in 2010.
For instance, the President cannot have his way if he gives orders that contravene the law.
The Judiciary was given new teeth and judicial officers are empowered to ensure the law is followed to the letter and spirit.
Well, Raila has repeatedly stated that the protest rally on Monday will be peaceful and held within the confines of laws.
If he keep his word, I would not expect the security personnel to disrupt his procession.
As a leader, he is entitled to lead his supporters to present public petitions to the authorities at all levels.
But if security forces decline to allow him to access State House and advise him to instead present the petition to the Office of President (OP) at Harambee, the best thing is to heed the call and thereafter take a retreat.
On Monday, I’m sure many businesses in Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) will remain closed because of fear looting and destruction of properties.
I have talked a number of traders operating there.
We have lived in this country long enough and we have never heard of peaceful demonstrations and street protest. So Raila should stop taking us for a ride.
He is fighting a good fight but he is using wrong methodologies.
If he believes Dr Ruto stole the election, he should is legal means to push his case.
I want to remind Raila that he was a leading light during the referendum campaigns that culminated to passage of this constitution.
What does the disruption of businesses on Monday mean? The country stands to lose millions of shillings.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political analyst based in Nairobi
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