By Michael Barnabe
The President does not mention Raila anywhere in the video
A video shared on Facebook with a caption claiming that President William Ruto has issued a last warning to Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya party leader Raila Odinga over organization of protests has a FALSE HEADLINE.
Odinga had on November 27, 2022 announced that he’ll be holding public forums across different towns in the country, to consult with Kenyans on the petitions seeking removal of four IEBC commissioners; Justus Nyang’aya, Juliana Cherera, Francis Wander and Irene Masit.
Four petitions were filed in Parliament challenging the suitability of the four commissioners to hold office, after they distanced themselves from the August 9, 2022 election presidential results announced by IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati.
Raila read malice in the petitions and accused the President of interfering with the independence of constitutional bodies like the IEBC.
“We are going to consult widely with the people of Kenya, beginning Wednesday in Nairobi. We will have a meeting with the people at Kamukunji Grounds to ask them if they accept that these commissioners should go home,” Odinga was quoted by Citizen Digital.
The video we are debunking was published a day after Odinga made his announcement, and had a caption that reads “Wueh!! Kimeumana sasa!! Listen to Ruto last warning to Raila Odinga about organizing demonstrations.’’
The caption suggested that the Head of State had addressed Raila in regards to the public rallies.
We reviewed the entire video and established that President Ruto did not mention Raila anywhere in his address.
In the clip, the president addressed the opposition and requested them to criticize his government objectively and in a peaceful manner.
“I want to tell our brothers in the opposition to work with us, to criticize whatever they want to criticize but let’s keep the country peaceful. That’s all we’re asking,” the Head of State said.
The president encouraged members of the opposition not to drive Kenyans against one another, stating that “street demonstrations, street fights should not be part of any responsible opposition. Unless they want to be a dictatorial opposition.”
President Ruto was speaking during the opening of Twiga foods distribution center in Ruiru , Kiambu County.
This fact check was published by Mtaani Radio with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and African Fact-Checking Alliance.
