The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, led by Raila Odinga, is adding its voice to the growing chorus demanding President William Ruto’s resignation due to his management of the widespread protests.
In a scathing statement on Tuesday, the opposition party accused the president of having “blood on his hands,” citing the deaths of innocent protesters and labelling the June 25 protests as a vote of no confidence against the president.
“We have the most callous, insensitive and obtuse regime in the history of Kenya. It is no wonder chants of ‘Ruto Must Go’ are ringing out all across the land. Government must never abdicate its responsibility to protect the life and property of its citizens, and if it does, it deserves to go,” said the party’s Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.
After a Central Committee meeting convened by ODM leader Raila Odinga, Sifuna stressed, “The youth have spoken in clear and certain terms. Let us not pretend that we don’t hear what they say. You have heard, we have heard it, and Ruto has heard it,” Sifuna said in response to the growing calls for the president’s resignation, which features among the demands by Generations Z protesters.
“We are in awe of the Kenyan Youth, who through their unity of purpose have stood with their fallen colleagues and raised vast sums of money in very short times to pay hospital bills for the injured. As a mass movement on this journey of true liberation, we know how difficult it is to achieve some of the things we have seen you do. You have earned our respect, and we salute you,” added Sifuna.
The party said it fully supports the protesters’ demands and dismisses Ruto’s calls for dialogue. It argues that the atmosphere created by the violent police crackdown on protests contradicts the president’s call for talks.
