• Jeremiah Kioni says Azimio will not back down from voicing demands
• He says the fight is fueled by the dire economic state of the nation that has spiked the cost of living
• Kiongozi says the truce is for the people and will not, and can not lead to a handshake
Jubilee Secretary General (SG) Jeremiah Kioni has said that the motive behind the anti-government protests is to “fight for Kenyans” and not to bolster an individual to power.
According to Kioni, the fight is fueled by the dire economic state of the nation that has spiked the cost of living to an alarming high.
“We are not fighting for any man or woman to have power in Kenya. We are fighting for life. The ability to feed your children. The ability to attend school,” he Tweeted on Tuesday.
“We shall die one day. But in the time given to us by God, we in Azimio will fight for Kenyans despite the pain and despair we endure to defend the defenseless.”
The Jubilee SG asserted that the Azimio la Umoja brigade will not back down from voicing their demands, stating that they will remain vehement in being “the shields that guard the livelihoods of Kenyans.”
“The ability to express your opinions without fear of reprisal. The ability to grow wealth. Death is the enemy. The first enemy and the last,” he said.
Kioni’s sentiments lie on the backdrop of a two-week protest which started on March 20, 2023 that, unfortunately, turned chaotic.
Azimio leader Raila Odinga had announced that the protests would be bi-weekly, taking place on Mondays and Thursdays.
The plan was halted after President William Ruto extended an olive branch to Mr. Odinga on Sunday, April 2, when he urged him to call off the strikes and proposed a bipartisan parliamentary committee to discuss Azimio’s grievances.
Mr. Odinga on his part heeded to tje request, however on conditions, noting that if the meetings fail to surmount to anything within a week’s time the protests shall resume.
They have since both clarified that the now-purported truce will not and cannot lead to a handshake.