Africa-Press – Kenya. The Global Peace Foundation Country Director Daniel Juma has asked Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance party leader Raila Odinga to give President William Ruto a chance to lead in peace.
The former Ugenya parliamentary seat aspirant urged the opposition to come up with strategies for winning the 2027 presidential election instead of the current anti-government protests that are claiming the lives of innocent youth.
“After elections, winners should be given ample time to lead the country. I was an election observer and Raila did not garner enough votes to be declared president-elect.
“I am beseeching the Azimio brigade to stop the street demonstrations that end up having our young people shot at and even killed,” Juma said.
Juma urged opposition supporters not to be quick to anger as Ruto, the current president, was once Raila’s strong lieutenant.
“After the chaotic 2007 elections, Ruto was a hardliner in Raila’s camp. His hard stance gave Raila the prime minister position.”
The peace ambassador noted that the looming bi-partisan talks between the government and opposition are good for the country but the Raila-led opposition should focus on how to win the 2027 presidential poll.
“The high cost of living is a serious issue. The opposition can make it an election issue and start campaigning for 2027 even right now,” he said.
Juma observed that a 2027 win by the opposition will make more sense than the 2022 lost bid.
“Once the citizen votes, he should not be brought back to the streets to fight for free and fair elections,” he remarked.
Juma went on to ask his “brothers to give President Ruto an opportunity to work instead of trying to cause chaos and endangering the lives of youth in the hands of the police”.
Juma was speaking during the 70th birthday ceremony of his mother Celine Ojode Omondi of Sigweng’ Karuoth in Ukwala, Ugenya constituency.
On his part, Juma’s Canada-based brother Erick Omondi condemned the police for using brutal force in dispersing anti-government protesters.
Omondi asserted that peaceful protests are supported by the Constitution 2010 thus the police should apply prudence in dealing with protesters.
“Citizens have the right to demonstrate but it should be peaceful. I denounce the kind of force that the police have been using to disperse protesters and the hooliganism that some protesters have displayed. It is a shame,” said Omondi.
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