Raila defends Kenyans’ right to protest, urges government to uphold constitutional freedoms

ODM leader Raila Odinga has strongly defended Kenyans’ right to protest, insisting it is a constitutional freedom that must be protected from intimidation and state repression.

Speaking in Mombasa on Tuesday, when he led the groundbreaking ceremony for Maganda ECDE centre, Odinga reaffirmed that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party remains committed to defending the rights of citizens, including access to food, shelter, education, healthcare, property ownership, and peaceful protest.

"ODM is here today, tomorrow, and in the years to come. We have always stood with Kenyans – for justice, for fairness, and dignity," said Odinga.

Reflecting on the anti-government protests under the Azimio la Umoja coalition in 2023, Odinga recalled the loss of lives and injuries suffered by demonstrators.

MoU ignored

“Many of our youth were shot, some killed, and others left with life-altering injuries. We later formed a committee to find lasting solutions. A memorandum of understanding was signed and a report presented to Parliament. It included proposals for compensation to families of victims. To date, none of that has been implemented,” he lamented.

Odinga said the youth have since taken up the mantle of activism.

“They told me, ‘Baba, you’ve done enough, it’s our time now.’ I stayed home. But they rose again when the cost of living soared, when the Finance Bill became unbearable. Their call was clear: scrap the Bill, bring down the cost of living, and address their suffering,” he said.

Excessive and undemocratic

He criticised the government’s response to recent protests, including the deployment of the police, calling it excessive and undemocratic.

“Kenya was on fire. But eventually, President Ruto withdrew the Finance Bill. We believe in justice and peaceful resolution. Some agreed, others did not. But we remain firm.”

Odinga reminded the nation that Article 37 of the Constitution guarantees every Kenyan the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and petition.

“All that is required is a formal notice to the authorities. The police are then mandated to provide protection and ensure that no property is destroyed. This is a constitutional right, not a favour,” he asserted.

Comparison

He drew comparisons with demonstrations in other parts of the world, including those in London, Paris, Pakistan, India, and the United States.

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“Peaceful protest is a universal right. Kenyans are no different. If they want to march tomorrow, they have every right to do so, so long as it is peaceful and lawful.”

Odinga also spoke on the escalating tensions in the Middle East, warning of the global implications.

“The world is burning. We are on the brink of the third world war. Women and children have died in Gaza. We call for peace, neutrality, and global unity.”

Honest national reflection

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sherrif Nassir echoed Odinga’s sentiments, emphasising the importance of honest national reflection.

“It is vital that we state where we were, where we are, and where we intend to go. I have been in ODM even before joining politics. I thank God I became an MP, then governor, and even chaired a major committee in Parliament.”

Abdulswamad, who praised former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho as a strong pillar in ODM, said the party must continue to speak as the voice of Kenyans.

“The country was burning. Some in government took pleasure in this. We asked ourselves, "Do we speak with authority, or as Kenyans?.”

He decried past state actions against ODM supporters and leaders, recalling how Raila Odinga was tear-gassed and allegedly targeted for elimination in 2023.

“But Raila never acted alone. We made difficult, collective decisions. We chose to put the country first,” said Abdulswamad.

Calling for equal treatment of all citizens, Nassir said, “No one should be treated as more Kenyan than others based on party, religion, or ethnicity.”

He urged fellow politicians to speak out. “Let’s put titles aside and put the nation ahead. We believe in coexistence. We believe in equality.”

ODM leaders insisted that demonstrations planned for this week must be peaceful, respectful of public and private property, and conducted within the confines of the law.

They reiterated their commitment to constitutionalism and democratic principles.