Raila Orders Ruto to Stop Mukuru Demolitions, Vows to Resist the Evictions

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at a rally in Nairobi in July 2022.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at a rally in Nairobi in July 2022.
Photo
Raila Odinga

Azimio Chief Principal Raila Odinga on Friday took a swipe at President William Ruto following the latter's directive on the demolition of structures at the Mukuru Kwa Ruben in Nairobi.

Raila who was addressing a rally in Embakasi South, Nairobi called on the head of state to revert his initial decision directing the Interior Ministry to lead demolitions in the reperian lands of the Mukuru kwa Ruben.

The former prime minister termed Ruto's orders as unethical and instead urged the government to first construct houses for the residents before evicting them.

"And I want to say today, these people should not demolition the houses in the Mukuru kwa Njenga, let them not destroy any house," Raila said.

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga.
Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga.
Photo ODM

The Azimio leader vowed to resist the government's decision to demolish houses in the Mukuru areas, noting it was against the will of the people.

Raila who accused the government of inhumane treatment for its decision on evicting the residents, claimed the government could have put up adequate measures before embarking on the evictions. 

"First build good homes before coming to destroy the houses, Kenyans are not animals, you must possess humanity," the Azimio chief claimed.

"If they come with force, we are the force and we know how to apply force and we will come together so we can die with you," Raila added.

Odinga further urged the head of state to immediately declare the current flooding menace a national disaster since thousands of people had been directly impacted.

During the rally, the former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader also took a swipe against the Education Cabinet Secretary over his late-night orders barring the reopening of schools.

Raila accused the Education CS of failing in his duty with Odinga claiming many students were affected by Machogu's late directive.

"They said schools would reopen but they waited until the last minute after students have travelled to school and released a statement blocking the reopening of schools," the ODM leader commented.

ruto
President William Ruto delivering a lecture at the Lusophone University in Guinea Bissau on April 6, 2024.
PCS