The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Vice Chairperson, Hassan Sarai, has urged Mombasa residents to boycott countrywide protests planned by Azimio leaders to happen for three consecutive days.
Speaking in Kizingo on Tuesday, Sarai, who is also the East Africa Legislative Assembly MP, said that the destruction of properties witnessed during the protests has clearly diverted the intended purpose of the protests, which is the high cost of living.
He said that the move by Raila Odinga to call for protests in the country is to get President William Ruto to agree to a handshake and not for the interests of the people.
“The president was elected to protect the Constitution, so if people are manipulating the same Constitution to achieve their goals, we will not allow them as leaders of this country,” he said.
Sarai insisted that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Kenya Kwanza government will not bend over backwards for a handshake, claiming that the protests are Odinga’s style to get a share of the government.
He called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the destruction of property during the past protests.
Sarai said that his message to the Mombasa leadership is that they should protect the region’s resources at all costs for the benefit of residents.
“The people of Nyanza have made major steps in terms of development as their leaders sit and plan for protests; as leaders, we should emulate them by focusing on development and not rallying our people into protests,” he added.
Sarai said the demonstrations are more political, with leaders posing for pictures and press briefings, then storming away in their big vehicles as they leave the people to deal with teargas.
His sentiments were echoed by former Starehe MP Charles Njagua, who said that the demonstrations have fueled criminal activities by hired goons who destroy both private and public properties.
He condemned the opposition for orchestrating mass looting in the country under the pretence of vouching for lowering the cost of living.
“The government is tackling the cost of living, but these demonstrations are not about that but about Odinga’s failure to accept that he lost the elections,” he said.
By Chari Suche
