ODM leader Raila Odinga has strongly defended Kenyans’ right to protest, insisting it is a constitutional freedom that must be protected from intimidation and state repression.
Speaking in Mombasa on Tuesday, when he led the groundbreaking ceremony for Maganda ECDE centre, Odinga reaffirmed that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party remains committed to defending the rights of citizens, including access to food, shelter, education, healthcare, property ownership, and peaceful protest.
“ODM is here today, tomorrow, and in the years to come. We have always stood with Kenyans – for justice, for fairness, and dignity,” said Odinga.
Reflecting on the anti-government protests under the Azimio la Umoja coalition in 2023, Odinga recalled the loss of lives and injuries suffered by demonstrators.
“Many of our youth were shot, some killed, and others left with life-altering injuries. We later formed a committee to find lasting solutions. A memorandum of understanding was signed and a report presented to Parliament. It included proposals for compensation to families of victims. To date, none of that has been implemented,” he lamented.
Odinga said the youth have since taken up the mantle of activism.
“They told me, ‘Baba, you’ve done enough, it’s our time now.’ I stayed home. But they rose again when the cost of living soared, when the Finance Bill became unbearable. Their call was clear: scrap the Bill, bring down the cost of living, and address their suffering,” he said.