Raila Amolo Odinga, the Azimio la Umoja Kenya party leader, assured the people of Kenya on Thursday evening that the protests against the high standards of living and shrinking economy will resume immediately after Ramadan.
The Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader has signaled a return to the biweekly demonstrations and accused Kenya Kwanza of not being honest in the inclusive and credible process of national dialogue.
The demonstrations that Raila Odinga had halted two weeks ago after committing to have dialogue with government will resume as the Azimio la Umoja leader thinks that the government has not taken the issue of dialogue seriously and seems likely not to meet the other side of their bargain.
On Thursday, April 13, Raila said his supporters had observed worrying signs of a lack of seriousness from the Kenya Kwanza regime over the planned bipartisan talks.
“The people have called on the Azimio leadership to immediately resume Maandamano after the end of Ramadan,” Raila said.
Raila was addressing Azimio supporters who converged at Ufungamano House for a public baraza.
“Should the talks falter or bear no fruit because of lack of openness, lack of honesty, and indulgence of our opponents, the people will have no option but to take their future and that of their country into their own hands,” he added.
The protests are held every Monday and Thursday in major Kenyan cities, which brings business to a standstill and, to many, the two days are looked at as public holidays as many stay home and businesses close due to fear of looting and violence.
According to Economic experts, if the protests resume as planned, they will have a great impact on the East African economies as the transport of goods and services into and out of Kenya will be affected, and it will also have a great impact on tourism in the region.