ODM leader Raila Odinga has hit out at the opposition and Gen-Zs for alleged hypocrisy over the killing of Kenyans by the police during the Wednesday protests to mark the first anniversary of the June 25, 2024, killings.
For a man whose own supporters have borne the brunt of police brutality in past protests, Raila condemned the police for meting out violence on protestors and called for a consensus between protest planners and police to avert killings.
His proposal, however, remains a long shot for a generation that identifies itself as leaderless but are committed to pushing the government to improve governance in the country.
Speaking in Nyakach on Thursday, he accused government critics of pretending to care about the issues they opposed when Raila and his allies led supporters to the streets to protest against the government.
The ODM leader also slammed political leaders he claimed are seeking to gain relevance by riding on the popular rage against the government, terming them as hypocrites for allegedly supporting in the past the atrocities they are against now.
“We went to the streets to demand reforms over various issues affecting the country, such as the high cost of living and electoral justice. Several of our youths were killed in the demonstrations, and when it reached a point when we wanted to do a thanksgiving service in their honour, we were denied venue by all churches we went to,” he said.
“I am wondering, these people who are purporting to see these issues now, where were they? Now they are claiming to be conducting memorial prayers for the people, and they are asking people to come out and join them. This is hypocrisy, “ he added.
He argued that the continued deaths being witnessed in the country whenever there are demonstrations could be averted if the protest organisers and the government could agree on the terms of the protests as guided by the constitution.
Raila claimed to have advised the government to agree with the planners of the protests on terms for the protests but allow them to proceed without interference to avoid incidents of clashes between demonstrators and police leading to deaths.
