KISUMU, Kenya — Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga have dismissed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s threat to organize nationwide protests, arguing that Kenyans are focused on work and that opposition leaders lack the capacity to mobilize such demonstrations.
Speaking on Monday, January 2, during the NYOTA capital disbursement in Kisumu County, CS Oparanya said that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party was the only political outfit capable of effectively organizing protests.
“ODM is the one that knows how to organize protests; can these others really organize protests? They cannot,” Oparanya stated.
Governor Wanga reinforced the view, saying Kenyans are largely uninterested in protests and are instead busy pursuing businesses and livelihood activities.
“I saw yesterday that some people are saying they are now preparing to organize protests. We are telling them we are not boarding; we are working. Kenyan youth are busy starting businesses and hustling — they are not interested in protests,” Wanga said.
The remarks come after Gachagua, while in Othaya, Nyeri, said he would organize demonstrations larger than any previously led by the late Raila Odinga.
“William Ruto, you used to say that only Raila knew how to organize protests. Raila never actually organized any protests. The protests we will plan, you will know that Kenya has both men and women ready to act,” Gachagua said on Sunday.
The former deputy president had threatened to call for nationwide demonstrations if police officers who attacked him in Nyeri were not arrested.
Gachagua said the protests would push for the removal of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, his two deputies, and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen from office.
“We have told the IG that the squad must be arrested and disarmed. If this situation continues after February 16, we will call for protests to remove the Interior CS, Police IG, and the 2 DIGs from office,” Gachagua stated on Friday, January 30.
