Africa-Press – Kenya. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has cautioned a section of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party members against pushing for protests, warning that such acts drag the party behind.
Speaking on Wednesday morning during an interview on Ramogi TV, Mbadi warned that such actions threaten to rekindle old political wounds sustained previously during the fight for justice.
He urged party members to instead rethink the party’s sole purpose, emphasising that ODM, just like any other political party, was created to offer hope for its supporters.
“I want to warn ODM members that demonstrations alone are not the solution. Things can easily be resolved if people sit down and address their differences,” Mbadi said.
He added, “I urge my fellow ODM members to think carefully and know what they really want from the start. The only reason people follow political parties is because of hope.”
According to the CS, while Kenyans have in the past taken to the streets when the government failed to address some of their plights, he insisted that protests alone were not the solution to the challenges facing Kenya.
He emphasised that diplomacy and national dialogue, such as those suggested by the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga before his death, were the best forms of problem-solving techniques.
In particular, Mnadi expressed concerns over some politicians who, he revealed, were mainly from the Nyanza region and encouraged mass action rather than using a strategic approach in addressing their plights.
“In politics, you must be a strategist. ODM has immense support in most parts of the country. If you look keenly at those who want people to protest, they are not from other communities but our own community,” Mbadi revealed.
Mbadi’s comments come amid speculations of division within the party over the party’s decision to work jointly with President William Ruto’s administration.
This comes hardly four days after Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino threatened to rally for nationwide protests against the rise in the cost of living.
Speaking at the ODM party’s 20th Anniversary held on Saturday, November 15, the lawmaker warned that the rising cost of education and commodities could push Kenyans to the streets.
During the same event, the Siaya Governor James Orengo criticised President Ruto’s administration, maintaining that Kenyans were ready to go back to the streets over poor governance.
“If ODM is strong and stands on the basis that Raila wanted a free country, we must fight everywhere. If you are afraid, do not sell us fear; we are prepared to go back to the streets. I, as James Orengo, am prepared to go back to the streets,” Orengo said.
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