The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party leaders have challenged President William Ruto to address economic challenges facing the country and the rising cost of living instead of focusing on what they termed vindictive politics targeting allies of his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta.

While referring to a police raid at the home of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i, Azimio leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Martha Karua accused the President of turning the country into a police state.

The Azimio brigade spoke on Friday when it took its post 2022 General Election consultative sessions with supporters to Nyamira and Kisii counties.

The day’s events kicked off in Keroka, before Azimio top brass addressed a rally at the Gusii Stadium in Kisii town.

Wednesday’s police raid at the home of former CS Matiang’i shaped the Azimio conversation with its supporters; the ex-Interior strongman hails from Nyamira County.

“Unavunja mlango wa mtu kama mwizi..huyu ni mtu alikuwa waziri juzi juzi...mbona mnaingia kwake kama wanajeshi wa Hitler? We are not in a State of Emergency, no way a civilian can be harassed in that manner. You shouldn't treat Matiangi as a criminal...he hasn't refused to be charged....follow procedure,” said Mr. Odinga.

Kisii Governor Simba Arati said: “Hili suala la Matiang’i...Ata kama ni kilema, ata kama ni macho moja, ni mtoto wetu hapa Kisii...serikali mkiwa na shida tafadhali muite Matiang’i...chochote kitakachomfanyikia Matiang’i wewe Ruto ndio tutauliza.”

During the Wednesday operation, police carried away CCTV monitors and hard disks, ostensibly to aid in investigations over an alleged raid a week ago.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is yet to disclose the nature or particular allegations of probe on matiang’i.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka stated: “Issue ya Matiang’i kuhangaishwa ni fitina kabisa kabisa. Matiang’i was not just a minister from Kisii...he was a strong man...badala ya kumuomba atoe ushauri. Mnamuhangaisha,

Embattled Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni stated: “Matiang'i alikuwa mfanyikazi wa Jubilee, hii mambo ya kumfuata hatutakubali, na tumekuja kusema hapa tutasimama na Matiang’i hadi mwisho.”

The Azimio team challenged President Ruto to instead focus on the country’s state of economy and the rising cost of basic essentials.

“Kila siku wanasanya pesa...kila siku toa kodi...hawana mpango...sahii wanaweka sahihi na mashirika ya ng’ambo ata zile hawawezi kufanya...sahii kila kitu imepanda. Thamani ya shilingi inashuka kila siku. Gharama ya maisha inazidi kupanda kila siku ndio maana hawa jamaa hawana mpango,” added Raila.

Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua said: “Wameondoa ile pesa ya kuteremsha gharama ya maisha..ndio maana maisha sasa ni ngumu...pesa ambazo ziliwekwa kwa bajeti zimeenda kwa tumbo za watu.”

Mr. Odinga announced that next week, his brigade will pile more pressure on the President over what he claims is an attack on democracy and tenets of the 2010 Constitution.

“The people will associate with struggle for democracy and will participate in this endeavor. The leadership of this country shall be picked through choices made by people of Kenya and through the ballot,” he stated.

“We shall remain true to multiparty state as opposed to single party rule. People of this region reject an attempt to reconstitute IEBC.”