The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya has released a statement on Odinga’s call to have his supporters march to statehouse and overthrow the government.
Here is the full statement:
“The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya presents its compliments to all Diplomatic Missions, United Nations Agencies and International organizations based in Kenya, and has the honour to inform as follows:
On or about 13th March 2023, Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, the Opposition Leader, called for nationwide protests whose central purport included having his supporters march to the seat of Kenya’s presidency, State House, oust the constitutionally elected President of the Republic of
Kenya, and cause himself installed as president.
The Ministry further wishes to inform that, in spite of failing in adhering to the law today, 20th March, Mr. Odinga mobilized his supporters to execute his intention. Security Officers prevented the demonstrators from accessing the central business district and State House, due to the
egregious and highly provocative nature of the demonstration, but also on account of the failure
by the organizers to furnish a notification containing specific details about the protest to the police.
Despite the restraint by police, some of the protestors destroyed and looted property whose value will be determined in the days ahead. The protests and destruction to property are a continuation of the Opposition Leader Hon. modus operandi deployed since 1997, to force extra constitutionai ponuea settlements Odinga for his own self-aggrandizement.
Th Ministry wishes to recall that Kenya conducted an open, democratic election on Sg August,
2022, and H.E. Hon. Wiliam Samoei Ruto won the election. Subsequentiy, election-related issues
raised by Mr Odinga were litigated upon before the country’s Supreme court that upheld the
president’s victory, paving way to the swearing in on 13 September 2022.
Further, it is trite that almost all countries in the world, Africa in particular, suffered economic
shocks occasioned by the COVID 19 pandemic and exacerbated by the Russo-Ukrainían war.
Kenya, like many countries on the continent is still struggling to recover, a tact made more onerous
by the most debilitating drought in decades. The government is thus addressing a legtimate
problem of high cost of living witnessed in the entire globe.
Whereas the Opposition Leader’s call for nationwide protests, when the new Government is barely six (6) months in office and working hard to revive the economy is insensitive, Mr. Odinga’s encouragement of protestors to storm State Installations, including the country’s seat of the presidency is outright callous even treasonous.
The Ministry assures that the National Police service wll remain vigilant to deter the weaponization of protests for unconstitutional purposes. Moreover, the police will continue to act to protect the safety, security and property of all and, to exercise utmost restraint, even in the tace of extreme provocation, in dealing with any protests.
The Ministry wishes to encourage all Diplomatic Missions and all International Organizations to monitor police and media sources for any changes to road closures or any measures that may atfect their movements. In addition, in line with the importance of holding those responsible tor any crimes that may be committed under the guise of protests and ensure no impunity is encouraged, the Government urges the international community to be vigilant in supporting the sanctioning of any conduct adverse to the peace and security of the country.
Importantly, the Government of Kenya appreciates the support of the international community in its efforts to bolster econamic recovery and improve the livelihood of its citizens. The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya avails itself of this
opportunity to renew to all Missions and all International organizations based in Kenya its assurances of its highest consideration.”
