Opposition leader Raila Odinga on Sunday, February 5, turned the heat on the Kenya Kwanza government over alleged electoral fraud in the August 9th presidential election.
Speaking at a rally held at the Kamukunji grounds in Kibra, the Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition leader maintained that President William Ruto did not win the poll and must leave State House.
'Subverting will of the people'
"Our stand remains Ruto did not win the elections. He got into State House by hijacking and subverting the will of the people. He must get out," Raila stated.
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Contempt
The ODM party leader claimed that Ruto had proceeded to govern the country with "absolute contempt" for the people and the country's institutions.
He poked holes in Ruto's plan to raise more revenue through taxes, saying the Head of State is politicizing the war on tax cheats.
"Tax cheats and all sorts of criminals are with Ruto in his government but he is pretending to be looking for criminals outside his government. We have a situation where when a poor man steals he goes to jail but when a rich man or woman who steals or had stolen becomes a minister or becomes a CEO."
Skewed State appointments
Raila said Ruto had failed to fulfil his campaign promises. He said the President had promised "hustlers" and inclusive government but had done the opposite by favouring and handing over plum State jobs to influential and wealthy Kenyans.
"Ruto promised a poor man's government, only to unveil a government of billionaires that has no room for the poor," he said.
"Where people expected a caring regime, they have been rewarded with the most I don't care government this country has ever known.
Inflation & High cost of living
Raila also faulted the Kenya Kwanza administration over the high cost of living that has seen prices of basic commodities hit the roof. He said the President failed to provide Kenyans with a solution to deal with inflation.
He said there is no increase in wages to cope with inflation but there is an increase in taxes.
"Ruto found our people with a little in their pockets. Now even that little is being taken away," Raila said in reference to tax increment.
"He is pickpocketing the poor to feed the rich friends. Ruto did a good job identifying the problems of the so-called hustlers but he is making the problems worse. Where hustlers had two problems now they have four. Where hustlers could put at least two meals on the table instead of three now you can put only one. Where hustlers were paying a quarter of school fees now they are paying in full."
"Instead of lifting people out of poverty, Ruto is pushing more into poverty. Instead of the government helping the people to stay afloat the government is asking the people to help it survive.
"We want this yoke removed from the backs of our people. Get the taxes off our backs. Get the IMF out of our backs they have messed us up before they are messing us up again"
Corruption
Raila claimed that corruption is written all over the government. He alleged that the corrupt are having the best time of their lives under Ruto's administration.
