Editor's Review

“The Housing Levy, which now seems to be non-negotiable, does not affect Raila Odinga or my co-leaders at a personal level.

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga has accused the Kenya Kwanza government of trying to portray him as a selfish person who is fighting the government for personal gains.

Raila in a statement on Saturday, May 27 stated that the issues he is fighting for alongside other Azimio leaders are for Kenyans.

He noted that his calls for reforms in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) are aimed at promoting political stability in the country.

“A situation where all IEBC commissioners, and, by extension, members of any board, are required to agree with whatever the chairman says or does is a serious danger to future elections and anyone can be a victim. Yet that possibility is with us, in light of what befell the four dissenting commissioners. In leading the calls for a transparent and inclusive reform to the IEBC, I am acting for posterity, in the best interest of the nation,” said Raila.

The former Prime Minister stated that when he calls out the Kenya Kwanza administration on tribal state appointments, he is speaking on behalf of families where children or parents are failing to get jobs because they are from "the wrong tribe.

File image of Raila Odinga.

The Azimio chief stated that he is opposing the proposed Housing Fund deductions because it will affect Kenyans whose salaries are shrinking because of taxes, loans, and deductions.

“The Housing Levy, which now seems to be non-negotiable, does not affect Raila Odinga or my co-leaders at a personal level. All of us are unemployed and do not have salaries to be deducted for housing levy. We are fighting for those Kenyans whose salaries have continued to shrink because of taxes, loans, and statutory deductions,” he added.

The opposition leader also noted that he is fighting for Kenyan youth who are targeted with taxes through digital content monetization, saying the taxes will kill innovation and limit options among youth.

Raila stated that he can afford expensive items like other Kenya Kwanza leaders unlike the majority of the Kenyans cannot afford them.

He further warned the Kenya Kwanza government that it will face a tough battle from Kenyans if it fails to listen to the people.

“Kenya Kwanza has two options; face and listen to Kenyans, or ignore them and face a battle with Kenyans never seen before in this country,” Raila further stated.