Azimio Leader Raila Odinga has declared Monday, March 20, 2023 a public holiday to allow Kenyans to participate in demonstrations.

Speaking to his supporters in Siaya County, Raila pleaded to Kenyans to participate in the planned countrywide mass action which seeks to compel the government to lower the cost of living.

He said the demonstrations would be peaceful as he asked participants to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner.

“We do not want any kind of violence or bloodshed. It is going to be peaceful and I have also said that we do not want any handshake. We are only doing this because it is the only alternative that we have,” he said.

‘In the name of Azimio one Kenya alliance, we  declare that Monday, March 20 will be a public holiday.”

Karua’s Declaration

The announcement comes after a request by Narc Kenya Party Leader Martha Karua who asked him to make a declaration to enable all working Azimio supporters to participate in the demos.

She said, “I am requesting Raila to declare that day a public holiday to allow us to complete this work. We cannot keep having election rigging every year, it has to stop.”

‘The people must use their constitutional right to ensure that they allow the person who was selected by the people to take over the leadership of the country. Let us join the rally to save this nation. This fight is for the people of Kenya,”Karua added.

With that, Raila dismissed calls by the National Council of Churches of Kenya whom he said requested him to postpone the protests saying that the Kenya Kwanza Government ignored his appeal.

Despite his announcement, the Kenya Constitution it only allows the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior to declare a public holiday.

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