Raila launches digital signature collection drive

By Peter Ochieng

Azimio La Umoja One Kenya leader, Raila Odinga on Tuesday launched a digital signature collection platform, days after unveiling a manual exercise in Nairobi.

Addressing the press, Odinga said the end game is taking back the powers delegated to leaders, among them President William Ruto.

"The exercise, which is ongoing, is meant to express people’s displeasure with Ruto and the raft of punitive, unfair and unjust taxes that he has decided to impose on the people, without the people’s consent," the ODM party leader said.

He added that the signature collection is part of campaign of resistance, civil disobedience and citizens’ actions "that we have decided to pursue to force Ruto and his regime to respect and listen to the people."

"The digital platform we have unveiled today, is complementary to all other efforts and platforms including civil disobedience, tax boycotts and defiance that are meant to compel the regime to repeal the Finance Act 2023, and take deliberate steps to lower the cost of living," Odinga said.

He urged his supporters to feel free to choose between the digital and manual platforms, to facilitate collection of over 10 million signatures in the coming days.

Raila said with time, Kenya Kwanza leaders who have questioned where they will take the signatures will understand their mission.

"We are aware that Kenya Kwanza has questioned where we will take the signatures and the legality of the exercise. We don’t expect them to understand. They don’t understand the people’s power as of now, but with time, they will. But they need to understand we will not take it to the Kenya Kwanza IEBC or their compromised Parliament."

According to the Azimio boss, 1.2 million Kenyans have so far provided their signatures.

One can sign digitally through the website - www.tumechoka.com.