Raila challenges church to join pushback against government
Azimio leader Raila Odinga has challenged the Church to join hands with other Kenyans to keep President William Ruto’s administration in check as he began his nationwide consultative forums in Western Kenya on Sunday.
Speaking during a service at St Stephens ACK Church in Kisumu yesterday, Mr Odinga recalled how the late Arch Bishops Henry Okullu, Alexander Muge and David Gitari stood firm and spoke the truth when the country was facing challenges similar to what Kenyans are witnessing today.
“The church needs to speak out against the ills of this government. The late archbishop Okullu, Bishop Muge, Bishop Gitari, were the clergy that were prepared to stand up and speak the truth at a time when open criticisms was termed as treason,” Mr Odinga said.
But they spoke the truth to power and the church must speak the truth to power and tell those in power today that the people are hurting, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader asserted.
“The church should speak about the heavy taxation this government has burdened Kenyans with. It is not a question of just raising taxes, you don’t borrow to pay debts because when you do this you are just increasing the debts. Let us get out of this debt hole,” the opposition leader said.
He said that church and politics are intertwined and the clergy must come out to talk about the ills of the government.
“It was not only Zakayo who was the tax collector. We have also learnt about Mathews and there is nothing wrong in collecting taxes, what is wrong is embezzling those taxes,” he said.
Mr Odinga pointed out that he was a proud member of the Anglican Church “but sometimes I feel embarrassed when I see the Anglican Church silent in the face of a lot of immorality and unfairness in the society.
“We are very pleased with what the Catholic clergy have said and the role they have continued to play in the face of the current adversities we are witnessing today. Unfortunately, the people who are masquerading as true Christians and talking of liberating people from poverty have turned to be the oppressors of the people,” added Mr Odinga.
The ODM leader reiterated that he will this week give Kenyans a way forward “as we begin a new journey.”
“Are you ready? We shall speak more mid-this week,” he told the congregation.
Mr Odinga who was accompanied by Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, his deputy Mathews Owili, Siaya senator Oburu Oginga and MPs Aduma Owuor (Nyakach), Joshua Oron (Kisumu Central) among a host of other leaders is set to begin his consultative tours in Western Kenya today before heading to the Coast.
He has lined up a series of consultative forums in at least nine counties starting today amid threats of another round of street protests over high taxation.
The forums will double up as a platform for ODM mass membership recruitment drive aimed at revamping the outfit in readiness for its planned April grassroots elections.
The ODM Central Management Committee meeting chaired by Mr Odinga last week announced that the party’s top brass will pitch tent in Busia County today to kick off a nine-day recruitment drive and consultative meetings.
On Monday 15, Mr Odinga will lead the party in yet another meeting and recruitment drive in Vihiga County before moving to Bungoma on Wednesday.
On January 22, the party will move to the Coast and hold its first meeting in Lamu before moving to Tana River and Kilifi on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
Mr Odinga and his troops will then move to Taita-Taveta, Kwale and Mombasa on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, in that order.
ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna said the engagements will be led by Mr Odinga, top party officials and elected leaders.
“As we continue to regroup and revamp, the Central Committee has proposed a calendar of events for the month of January. The party grassroots recruitment that started last year shall continue with events in these areas,” said Mr Sifuna in a statement. “These recruitment drives shall also be accompanied by consultative forums.”
On December 30, 2023, Mr Odinga called on the government to withdraw the Finance Act 2023 or else he would mobilise his supporters to demonstrate.
“The cost of living is high. We told them not to increase the taxes but they have continued doing the opposite. The Finance Act must be repealed in its entirety. If they do not do it, we will go back to the streets.” Mr Odinga said.
The party has been running a mass membership drive since last year in various parts of the country, with officials describing the exercise as a long-term plan to strengthen the outfit and position it as the party of choice ahead of the next elections.
“We will do our party elections in April, and then do a national delegate’s convention between May and June this 2024,” Mr Odinga said.
National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi said the plan is to project the outfit as the only saviour for Kenyans.
“The response to the ongoing registration has been enormous, especially from the youth who want to identify with ODM, which is the only known progressive party,” Mr Wandayi said.
ODM has also complained of an attempt by the Kenya Kwanza administration to stifle the operations of political parties by denying them funds.
“In its very first supplementary budget in September 2023, the regime cut funds allocated to parties by over 60 per cent. This year the onslaught has continued with further cuts. This is a clear demonstration of the regime’s intent to cripple all key institutions of democracy, from Parliament to the Judiciary to the political parties,” said Mr Sifuna.
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