Call off State of the Nation address, Kisumu activists tell Ruto

By Peter Ochieng

Human rights defenders in Kisumu have told President William Ruto to call off the planned State of the Nation address.

The President is set to address the nation, through a joint parliamentary session on Thursday, November 21, 2024.

However, the activists led by Boniface Ogutu Akach want him to call off the address, until he conclusively addresses issues affecting Kenyans.

“We know that there is a state of the nation address tomorrow, and we are telling President William Ruto, we don’t need to spend a lot of time listening to you,” said Akach.

“We are telling you, please call off that state of the nation address until you work on issues that are being raised by Kenyans, that are being raised by young people, that are being raised by the clergy and that are being raised by all friends of Kenya,” he added.

“You are supposed to address the nation tomorrow, I call upon you to call it off. The religious leaders have lost faith in you, they are returning the money you have given them, who are we to follow you and listen to what you have to tell us?” paused Seth Warinda.

Similarly, they called for ‘total overhaul’ of police officers in Kisumu, in the wake of a reported increase in cases of insecurity within the Lakeside city, threatening to occupy some of the police stations, among them Kondele and Kasagam in case of any inaction within seven days.

They spoke outside the Kisumu Law Courts after hearing of the case where Akach has been charged for obstructing a road contrary to section 58 (C) of the Kenya Roads Act No.2 of 2007.

He allegedly committed the offence on July 23, 2024 at Patel roundabout, along the Kisumu – Kakamega road at the height of anti-government protests. Akach has denied the charges. The case will be heard on 19th February 2024, with the prosecution expected to present more witnesses.

Dorcas Akinyi, chair, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Kisumu chapter called out the government of the day for continued kidnappings of innocent members of the public, especially targeting young people.

“We want to ask that these kidnappings stop. You are aware that Kisumu is experiencing rampant insecurity yet we continue to see state resources being used to harass Kenyans,” she said.

Akinyi said the government should abide by the constitution by allowing freedom of movement and speech, besides ensuring that anyone arrested is presented in court immediately.