No amount of protests will lead to a ‘handshake’ warns, UDA SG
The United Democratic Allice Party Secretary General, Cleophas Malala, has claimed that the planned protests by the opposition are a ploy to force President William Ruto into a ‘handshake’ with opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Malala spoke to the media at Hustler Centre on Wednesday, where he warned the opposition that their protests would not lead to a handshake.
Malala alleged that Odinga had been sending emissaries to President Ruto to negotiate a handshake deal. “Up to yesterday evening they were sending people to see if they can have a talk with the president,” he said.
Malala, speaking alongside Kenya Kwanza legislators, also accused the previous regime of using fuel and maize subsidies to fund his presidential campaign.
“The fuel and maize subsidies under the handshake regime were a conduit to brazenly steal money for Raila’s campaign,” he said.
He went on to claim that Raila was behind the maize shortage in the country and said the Kenya Kwanza government would expose the godowns where the maize was being kept in the next seven days.
Meanwhile, the country waits to see whether mass action will begin on Thursday, March 9, as the deadline for Raila Odinga’s 14-day ultimatum to President Ruto approaches.
Raila has been leading a series of anti-government rallies across the country, demanding that Ruto addresses their grievances, including the high cost of living, electoral injustice, and skewed sharing of state jobs.
Speaking on Tuesday, Raila reminded the President of the deadline and warned that mass action would begin on Thursday if their demands were not met. “We want you to wait for the time, the deadline is tomorrow (Wednesday) at midnight. So you will hear from us on Thursday,” he said.
In response, Malala warned that the government would not give in to the opposition’s demands. “Do not contemplate or entertain the imagination you can have a handshake with President Ruto,” he said.