The Kenya Kwanza administration is making efforts to reach out to Azimio governors to prevent the resumption of weekly demonstrations called by their leader Raila Odinga after the end of the Holy Month of Ramadhan.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi met with Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir in Mombasa, while Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale met with Governor Gideon Mung’aro and other Coast ODM (Orange Democratic Movement) leaders in Kilifi, in what is seen as a strategy to win over the region.
Mr. Mudavadi praised Governor Nassir for shunning the demonstrations and urged Kenyans to denounce the opposition protests. He warned that the protests could plunge the country into political uncertainty, citing the current conflict in Sudan as an example.
However, he lauded Governor Nassir for “banning” the opposition protests in Mombasa and assured him of support from the national government in his efforts to develop the port city.
Mudavadi stated that Mombasa is a gateway to the country and the entire East African region, and any disruption would have a significant impact on the economy of Kenya and its neighboring countries. He urged all Coast governors to work with President William Ruto’s government to uplift the economy, emphasizing that political stability is crucial for the resuscitation of the economy.
Mudavadi also criticized Azimio leaders for bringing up the International Criminal Court (ICC) talk and accused them of trying to instigate chaos and disrupt normalcy in the country.
He further warned Raila Odinga, the leader of Azimio, against daring the State and urged him to accept and move on, stating that President Ruto is the duly elected President of Kenya.
Mudavadi dismissed Azimio’s call for negotiations similar to the Kofi Annan-led Serena talks, stating that the current circumstances in Kenya are different from those in 2007/2008 when the talks took place.
Mudavadi urged President Ruto to act firmly and decisively, emphasizing that the people of Kenya need development and progress, not protests. He criticized the opposition’s engagement in what he termed as “meaningless demonstrations” and called for restraint from politicians in driving the country back into dark days of instability.
