Elders urge Raila to call off Saba Saba rally

By Peter Ochieng

Kikuyu Council of elders are against holding of Azimio Saba Saba rally on Friday, 7th July, 2023.

Azimio leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday urged his supporters to turn up in large numbers for the rally, as a measure against the finance act, 2023, which takes effect on 1st July, 2023.

Odinga is expected to declare civil disobedience against President William Ruto's administration.

But the Kikuyu council of  elders, led by national chairman Wachira Kiago want the ODM boss to call of the rally, and reach out to the president and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua for possible dialogue.

"I'm humbly appealing to Raila Odinga and his team to stop the planned demonstrations and reach out to the government, we need peace and unity for the benefits of the country and our generations," Kiago said, as quoted by the Star.

Kiago stressed on the importance of unity for the well-being of the country, and urged Raila to abandon plans for demonstrations.

Speaking at Kamkunji grounds, Nairobi on Tuesday on arrival in the country from abroad, Odinga urged his supporters to carpool, walk to work and stop paying taxes in a bid to 'punish' the Kenya Kwanza administration, over what he terms as high taxation regime.

He is expected to announce further measures during the Saba Saba rally.