Raila Odinga issues statement on planned June 25 protests
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has now given the go-ahead to Kenyans who are planning to protest on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, urging them to do so in accordance with the law.
While speaking during an event at Jomvu, Mombasa, on Tuesday, June 24, the former Prime Minister said that protests and picketing are enshrined in the Constitution under Article 37. He stated that anyone wishing to protest should do so within the confines of the law.
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He urged those intending to protest to exercise their right by first notifying the police of the areas they will be assembling in and the time they intend to do so, as required by law.
He continued to state that this is the official stand of ODM, insisting that every Kenyan has a right to picket and demonstrate and advising them to inform the police beforehand.
He further stated that demonstrations should not be criminalised, noting that they will happen from time to time. He also advised protestors that demonstrations should not disrupt the economy of the country.
“Kwanza, unapatia serikali notisi. Halafu kazi ya polisi ni kuhakikisha wanalinda wale wanaandamana na kuhakikisha ya kwamba wasiharibu mali ya watu wengine, kwamba maandano yataanza saa hii hadi saa hii. Na huo ndio msimamo wetu wa ODM,” Raila said.
Raila went on to caution the government against stopping Kenyans from demonstrating, saying they should be allowed to move from one place to another during protests, as it is a constitutional right for every Kenyan to picket and demonstrate.
Hypocrisy
He also called out the church for what he termed as hypocrisy. He recalled that in 2023, during the Azimio-led demonstrations, the Azimio team was blocked from accessing churches to pray for victims who had been injured.
However, the same churches are now welcoming Kenyans to pray for victims injured during the current protests.
“In 2023, when our boys were killed and we wanted to go and pray for our boys and girls, we were not allowed to enter any church at that time. The hypocrisy is that the Church has now come out to say, ‘We are ready; we are with you people.’ Where were they all that time?” Raila asked.
