Raila Breaks Silence on Calls For Demos Over Cost of Living

ODM leader Raila Odinga has spoken over calls to revive demos over the cost of living.

This comes after a section of Kenyans raised concerns over his silence.

The recent cost of living punctuated with increases in taxes and fuel prices has seen Kenya call for Raila to stage demos to force the government to address their grievances.

But responding to the calls, Raila reminded Kenyans of how the same people condemned the opposition for staging demos over claims it was dealing a blow to businesses.

"Today, people are suffering everywhere, even those who said demonstrations by Azimio inaharibu biashara yao. Leo wanakuja kusema baba yuko wapi? Na baba ako kimya, he is not talking," Raila said.

"You said demonstrations were destroying your business, but now taxes are destroying your business."

According to Raila, it would be difficult to address the cost of living with taxes being increased by the government.

He said increasing taxes will make people evade taxes hence denying the government of the much-needed taxes.

"Increasing taxes is not the solution to the problem we are having, when you increase the taxes there is always the tendency to evade, people will evade taxes," he said.

Raila asked the government to conduct an audit to get rid of thieves who are plunging State resources.

This, he said will help in getting some revenue to address the needs of Kenyans.

"Where the money is coming from and how the money is being spent, that is where there is a problem. The revenue, income tax, VAT customs boys, and procurement officers in the ministries, are the boys in town. They are the ones who are buying apartments in town, driving the latest models in town, and building castles in the rural areas.

"If you do a lifestyle audit, you will catch them," Raila sa